It’s been raining relentlessly here in San Francisco for several days (since last weekend, actually). And when the clouds roll in, I’m inclined to listen to music that’s also less sunny, a little more introspective. Downbeat for the downpour.

London-based band Hoodlums fits the bill nicely, though I wouldn’t save the song I’ve got on repeat, “Dark Horses,” solely for a rainy day. After a quiet start, it builds and builds in urgency from there. There are definite shades of Death Cab For Cutie on “Dark Horses,” but it’s also no surprise that Hoodlums served as support act for Keane earlier this month. Theirs is also expansive piano-based pop of a very high quality — with a double bass to boot. Frontman Lou Vainglorious’ switch to falsetto is fantastic on the track, seamlessly employed as a hook unto itself.

So what’s “Dark Horses” all about, anyway?

“‘Dark Horses’ was written for anyone who can be their own worst enemy,” explains Vainglorious. “For the voice inside your head that tells you you’re not good enough. For those who love themselves and hate themselves in equal measure… and for those that keep on running because they are afraid to slow down.”

Oddly, some of my favorite songs employ horses as metaphors, including The Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses,” U2’s “Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses” (brilliantly re-done by Garbage last year), Echo & the Bunnymen’s “Bring On The Dancing Horses,” and Q Lazzarus’ “Goodbye Horses.” Happy to add Hoodlums’ “Dark Horses” to this phenomenal team. Well done, lads.

Be sure to check out the B-side to the “Dark Horses” single, “Ends Of The Earth,” too. Any television or film music supervisors out there would be smart to hook up Hoodlums with a synch of either song.

Purchase Hoodlums – “Dark Horses” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.