Songs of the year, number 16: FKA twigs - Cellophane

Both the song, and it's accompanying video, created a very definite stir upon their release earlier this year but, on a personal level, I mainly encountered the song without its video and learnt to appreciate its glacial understated minimalism. This is a complex piece of electro balladry, fresh for the 21st century, utterly new, and utterly devastating in both mood and execution.

Songs of the year, number 17: Skating Polly - Flyer - (Lyric Video)

'Flyer', sung on this occasion mainly by Peyton Bighorse, finds Skating Polly in a thoughtful, reflective mood and, as such, it is representative of the quietly melodic end of the bands sound. A slow burner with a number of contrasting elements, this was a strong single for the band ahead of their frenetic UK tour this autumn.

Songs of the year, number 18: The Regrettes "California Friends" [Official Music Video]

The Regrettes are a good example of an artist discovered by looking at what your 'friends' (social media friends that is) are listening to on Spotify, and giving said artist a try because you like the name. It's rare that this ends well in terms of discovering new music you like, but this was a rare example of a time when it paid off.

'California Friends' is taken from the bands second album, How Do You Love?, an instantly loveable slice of catchy punk pop with bite. If this song doesn't have you jumping around the room, nothing will.

Songs of the year, number 19: Suzi Wu - Highway

A killer slice of hip hop infused electro pop from Suzi Wu. As an emerging North London artist she is still, well, emerging and the back story is a little sparse on detail. 2017's Teenage Witch EP started the buzz while 2019's 'Highway' will ensure said buzz continues into 2020. Watch this space.

Songs of the year, number 20: Overcoats - The Fool

It's been quite quiet on the Overcoats front this year. Following on from their debut album, 2017's Young, the band have continued to tour the US while quietly working on new material.

'The Fool' was the first track to be released from a new E.P, and as well as showcasing a slightly new direction for the band, the accompanying video also klaxoned a new image.

It's too soon to tell what album number two will be like, but I wait with a good deal of excitement based on this ferocious slice of synth pop.

Songs of the year, number 21: Helen McCookerybook - At The Bathing Pond (Songs from the kitchen)

Helen McCookerybook's songs tend towards the gently and wryly observational, and this song is based on a true story, which if you've ever seen her perform the song live, you will know. I have seen 'At the bathing pond' likened to Victoria Wood, and I can understand why, but I also think it's a typically McCookerybook song, one that is peculiarly English in tone as well as peculiar in subject. 'At the bathing pond' features on Helen's 2019 album, Green.

Songs of the year, number 22: Lillie Mae - “You’ve Got Other Girls for That” (Official Video)

US singer/songwriter and multi instrumentalist Lilie Mae is an exponent of top drawer Americana. She is based in Nashville, Tennessee and comes from a family of musicians in the sense that she and her siblings have a band, The Risches. She's also worked with Jack White (who signed her to his label Third Man Records) and Robert Plant.

While her solo work is still quite under the radar, this song, 'You've Got Other Girls For That', shows that she's going to be a slow burner; one of those artists who's acclaim grows organically, and who's songwriting just gets better as the years go by.