2009 will undoubtedly be remembered as the year in which the girls ruled the airwaves.

Unlike Jane McDonald or numerous others who’ve found fame from the telly and made a record this isn’t one you’ll be picking up for grandma this Christmas.

If the Flaming Lips can survive line-up changes, grunge and Zaireeka then they can sail through this.

The Real Feel is a very fine record indeed and an interesting exploration of all things wonderfully understated.

This second album from the Andy Hull-led Manchester Orchestra (who in researching said group transpire to be from America and are not in fact an orchestra) is a bold statement of intent, a step towards the epic.

More slow-burning than attention-seeking, Fruit Bats have provided the soundtrack to the sleepy morning after the night before.

Singles Daniel and Pearl’s Dream are but two snippets of one of the most gorgeously ethereal and decadent records of the year so far.

Take one political hip-hop pioneer, the voice of stomping, cheery anthems like Piss On Your Grave and add the cap wearing, Harvard graduate, ex Rage Against The Machine guitar player.