Songs of the year, number 9: Gazel - Rain is Coming

Because Gazel's Book of Souls is such a strong album, it was actually quite difficult to pin it down to one song when picking tracks out for my end of year list. 'The Night Concierge' and 'Walk on Land' would be equally strong candidates for songs of the year but, in the end, the sonic complexities and shifting mood landscape of 'Rain is Coming' is what did it for me. There really is no one else like Gazel Algan, and I'm hoping 2020 will be a great year for her.

Songs of the year, number 10: Billie Eilish - you should see me in a crown

I'll admit it, I was slow to appreciate the genius of Billie Eilish. Perhaps because I didn't listen closely enough on the first listen of her debut album, when we all fall asleep, where do we all go? Or maybe it was because I knew it wasn't music written for me, so therefore there was a get out clause if I didn't get it.

Then, the second time I listened to the album, I must have been in a different, or more receptive, mood because I suddenly felt like I got it.

'All the good girls go to hell' is another favourite, but the sheer creepy swagger of 'you should see me in a crown' wins for me every time.

Songs of the year, number 11: Hatchie — Stay With Me (Official Video)

With her debut album, Keepsake, Harriette Pilbeam (aka Hatchie) provided a strong contender for album of the summer. With it's sun kissed post shoegaze guitar work and strong melodies, the album was full of perfect indie pop singles. 'Stay with me' is a particularly fine example of one of these.

Songs of the year, number 12: Birch - Spelling Lessons

The elegant and enigmatic Birch released 'Spelling Lessons' early in 2019. It served as a taster for her debut album, femme.one, which was released in April. As is the case with the album's title track, the subtleties of her sound can sometimes mean that the message is missed, and it also means that she's an artist who needs to be properly listened to as her music doesn't provide an instant hit necessarily. She will definitely be one to watch in 2020.

Songs of the year, number 13: Miya Folick - Malibu Barbie

Following on from last years excellent debut album, Premonitions, 'Malibu Barbie' sees an evolution in  Miya's songwriting, with the bite of a song such as 'Deadbody' being tempered by elegant melodies and intricate but quiet guitar work. There's a subtlety here, but at the same time, she hasn't lost any of her anger. Album number two will be a treat I think.

Songs of the year, number 14: Siobhan Wilson - Unconquerable

A duet with Honeyblood's Stina Tweeddale, 'Unconquerable' features on Siobhan Wilson's 2019 album, The Departure. While The Departure reflected a more indie rock infused direction for Siobhan, in contrast to her folk beginnings, Stina was adjusting to doing Honeyblood solo. The two Scottish songwriters came together at a pivotal moment for both of them and the result is a song that is a hymn to female independence and for that, I salute them both.

You can listen to the album over on Bandcamp, as well as on Spotify.

Photo of a red squirrel by Vincent van Zalinge on Unsplash

Songs of the year, number 15: Kate Tempest - People's Faces (Streatham Version)

The album version of 'People's Faces' was given a re-working when Kate performed the track live for Maryanne Hobbs on 6music not long after the albums release. This stripped down, re-worked version proved very popular, was re-played across the station, and then released as the 'Streatham Version' of 'People's Faces'.

The stripped down treatment, and minimalistic piano chords gave what was already a strong track an anthemic quality that chimed well with how 2019 was panning out. A real song for our times.