It’s nice when you listen to a song it takes you back to a certain place and time. When I hear these songs I think I’ll always remember late nights when I would take time out to myself and try to clear my head. These songs always put my mind at ease because life can get kind of crazy, especially as an artist. Having those moments to just take a breathier brings me to a good space to where I can start writing music again.
Songs:
Janine- Hold Me
Jhene Aiko- Spotless Mind
Ella Mai- Don’t Want You
H.E.R.- Losing
Dvsn- Hallucinations
Sonder – Too Fast
Drake- Redemption
Jhene Aiko- Remember
Sabrina Claudio- Stand Still
H.E.R.- Focus
Sinead Harnett- If You Let Me
These days, it can be difficult to determine one songstress from another, let alone save a track and keep the name of its creator in your music library. This time of year, everyone is posting their “Best of” lists for 2018. We aren’t doing a super deep dive. We’ve just chosen 7 of our favorite female vocalists that have really ignited our hearts in the last year or so – one we found as recently as a couple of weeks ago! – and we’re all about sharing! Check out some of our favorite non-male performers below, and then maybe go make an entire WHO RUN THE WORLD? playlist featuring each and every one of these powerhouses!
by meredith schneider
Billie Eilish wasn’t someone we saw coming. Having jammed out to a couple of her songs, Bonnaroo 2018 brought her to the stage in front of us for the first time. A look of vulnerability in her eyes, she gave that crowd more than what she had that day, throwing her body into her stage presence and really working the stage so that everyone felt like they were a part of it. Each new release brings with it an extended feeling of empowerment, and we’re keen on what’s to come for this incredibly talented young musician. (See video at the end of this piece: she is one of Tan France’s favorites!)
by christie mcmenamin
Lucy Dacus‘ voice is tranquil, delicate, and perfectly matched to her bittersweet, relatable lyrics. We’ve fallen in love with her as gently as her music progression over the years. We’re super pleased with her new supergroup boygenius (see: Julien Baker below), if not only because it gives us an additional reason to see her live more often. All the heart eyes going into 2019 on this lady!
by jeo taymany
Ness Heads is a Chicago-based artist who sings a soulful mixture of R&B and hip hop, with a bit of a pop flare. Her single “Flip Em” threw us for a loop during the summer of 2018, and we’re keeping that energy going through the next month as we hustle through our last minute year-end “to do” lists.
by christie mcmenamin
The world’s lead producer of sad music, Julien Baker stole our hearts a few years ago, but her stage presence and the incredible way she interacts with her fans is something of note. We were lucky enough to have seen her both locally and at 2018’s last ever Sasquatch Music Festival, and were floored on a number of occasions by her prowess. Check her out with new supergroup boygenius!
by erin p.s. zimmerman
It was 2016 when we first had the unique pleasure of photographing Bishop Briggs, as she prepped for an evening performing at the Midland in Kansas City. Flash forward 2 years and we’ve seen her a number of additional times, photographed her once more (see above photo, SXSW 2017), and have continued to follow each and every impassioned song that she releases as she’s toured the country multiple times, played every festival known to mankind, and as her music has been placed in both television and film. Her energy is unlike any other when she steps on stage, and her compassion is limitless. (See: her recent haircut) Plus, she was just featured on JVN’s podcast, so she’s definitely “having a moment!”
by meredith schneider
Mess lead singer Allison Gliesman is a kind, hilarious, and obscenely generous human soul. We’re fortunate to know them as a friend, but their music stunned us even before we met them face to face. Flash forward to witnessing those powerhouse vocals one night at The Rino in KC and our world was changed forever. If you haven’t yet blasted a Mess song at full volume in your car, now is the time. Keep your eyes peeled for this one.
by dara munnis
I was at Sasquatch Music Festival photographing a female-led band at one stage, when the music from another stage flooded my ears. Like a siren call, I followed it, toting my boyfriend like a rag doll. This. Woman. Has. Chops. Tash Sultana. After three songs, I turned and said, “She can do it all. Seriously. What can’t she do?” As if she could hear me, she got out a pan flute within 30 seconds… and started to beat box with it.
If you aren’t in love just with that statement, then I don’t know who you are. Insane. That’s the only word to describe it.
BONUS – While our other listing pieces will include just 7 representatives, we may have gone overboard BECAUSE WE ARE SO FLOORED BY SO MANY RAD NON-MALE VOCALISTS. So check out our list add-on below, and revel in the glory of 8 incredible humans!
Sam Era has come a long way since she participated in competitive jazz and scatting in high school. Equally as impressive, her talents have spread and her tastes reflect an amalgamation of her art, but at its most sad. She has curated a soundtrack called “Broken Hearts” just for us, so take time to turn it up and feel all the feels.
November was quite the month for new music, if you ask us. Left and right we were premiering new gems, and a hefty amount of brand new music and lyric videos for your wandering eyes. This time, we bring you a lineup of some of our favorites of November 18th. If nothing else, it’s so your eyes don’t have to wander for a while. Featuring music videos by Alice in Chains, James Arthur, Mimoza, John Mellencamp, Swimming Tapes, Deanna Petcoff, and more!
I’ve been in the process of really stepping into my power and learning myself as an artist, businesswoman, and person, but most importantly: a woman. I’ve been taking the steps to restructure my life so that I can enjoy the harvest of that work in 2019. Through this process, I’ve frequently been listening to all of the songs on this playlist. Ranging from Hip-Hop and Latin Trap, to R&B and Pop, all of these songs make me feel uplifted, confident, and hopeful, as I step into my day every morning. This is the playlist that will keep the fire in you burning and growing.
I’d been in the studio working on my new album so I thought I’d share this playlist of songs that inspired me during the writing and recording process – more on the new music soon!
