13 Feminist Singer Songwriters You Should Pay Attention to in 2021
I am more than a little addicted to Spotify, and thank god for the platform because it’s meant that discovering incredible female artists and singer-songwriters has been streamlined. Nonetheless, in case you don’t have the time or the desire to dig through the internet in search of empowering, current, female artists that have a great message and inspiring vocals, I’ve compiled 13 feminist artists making music in 2021
- Mothers
I first saw Mothers live in Charlotte, North Carolina when they opened for Lucy Dacus — a fabulous female singer-songwriter I also recommended in 2019. But I remember Mothers most distinctly from that night because of Kristine Leschper’s bewitching voice that transported the entire room to another plane. Everyone became quiet and utterly mesmerized as we listened. I even teared up, as I was captivated and held outside of myself. This is the best case scenario response to any opening band, as you, reader, will know and recall from those heady days when live music was still a thing. When Mothers’ set ended and Dacus came on, she hesitated, breathed in deeply and then laughed saying to us, “wow, that’s quite a set to follow on.” I’ve been a die hard Mothers fan ever since.
2. Adrianne Lenker
Who can resist Adrianne Lenker’s velveteen voice combined with her soulful lyrics? I was a slow burn fan of Big Thief, the superstar indie band Lenker made her break with as a lead singer and guitarist. But when the addiction set in, I listened to little else from Big Thief for a couple of months solidly. Then, to my delight I discovered Lenker has also made an impact as a solo musician. Her songs are often about her experiences growing up in the midwest. Her poetic insights and soft tunes definitely deserve to be listened to and absorbed.
3. Lomelda
Lomelda is the stage name of Hannah Read who is an indie and folk artist with a lot of heart and beautiful sounds intricately interlaced into her music. The sound of her music isn’t far off from the aforementioned Adrianne Lenker, but what distinguishes her is the perhaps more personal and yearning quality of her vocals — though just as delicate. I felt myself drawn to listening to her music when I was driving, on those colder wintery days with rain gently pelting down on the windows.
4. Arlo Parks
Arlo Parks is a British singer-songwriter and poet who describes herself as a transgressive beatnik. Parks whose background is part Nigerian and part French, grew up in London and is openly bisexual. She has significantly broke down stereotypes and barriers to superstardom in the indie music community, for black artists. In her Spotify profile she writes about how she spent most of her teenage years, “feeling like that black kid who couldn’t dance for shit, listening to too much emo music and crushing on some girl in Spanish class.” Her music is compelling storytelling told through beautiful vocals.
5. Nilüfer Yanya
Nilüfer Yanya is a 25 year old singer-songwriter from London who started out by posting demos of her music on SongCloud in 2014. She turned down an offer to join a girl group organized by the producer of One Direction, opting instead to focusing on producing her own music, on her terms. I, for one, am glad she’s avoided that commercialization of her music, which instead remains diverse in style and range, but always moving, literally and metaphorically. Her usually upbeat tunes and keyboard rhythms inspire dancing and joy. Her voice is soothing, jazzy and alluring, which makes her sound mature beyond her years.
6. JGrrey
I first discovered JGrry when I was scrolling through my friend’s insta stories and someone had added a link to her song “Pretty Insane”. I was immediately grabbed. Her lyrics were titillating and provocative paired with an irresistible beat and her distinctive London accent. Her marked accent is as spellbinding in her songs as is the lead singer’s of The Kooks. But her power derives through her raw femininity that she keeps playful, sensual, and decidedly in-control. If you’ve not discovered her yet, you’re welcome. She’s one of those rare artists where every song is as likable as any other.
7. Princess Nokia
“I’m the witch of your dreams. I’m the voice in your head. I’m such a free spirit that I don’t fucking care.” Princess Nokia is New Yorker Destiny Frasqueri, and the self-proclaimed “radical intersectional feminist” that the rap world has desperately needed to take them on. There is something cross-pollinating about her music and rhythms too that fans of many genres can appreciate. There are lo-fi sounds and melodic surprises that break typical genre confines. Most importantly, she is a badass and her lyrics will empower and inspire you to be everything you’ve always wanted to be but held back from. For herself, Frasqueri identifies as a “witch and a tomboy, a feminist, and a queer woman who isn’t burdened but empowered by her complexity.”
8. Margaret Glaspy
There is something undeniably appealing about Margaret Glaspy. Perhaps it’s that she reminds me of those 90s singer-songwriters like Alanis and K.D. Her guitar sounds are head-bopping without ever sacrificing on her folky lyricisms. She’s effortlessly California-cool and has been called the musical love child of Cat Stevens and John Mayer.
9. Queen of Jeans
Self-described as “crockpot pop” the band is a blend of some of my absolute favorite things: bedroom pop, surf pop, doo-wop, and indie-rock-pop, you name it, it’s in the mix. Miriam Devora’s vocals are gorgeous and remind me a lot of a blend between Stars, Belle and Sebastian and Feist (but luckily the real rock sounds of the band save them from the more kitsch aspects of those references). Give “Get Lost” a listen and I have a feeling you’ll be as intrigued as I’ve become.
10. Mountain Man
So promoting Mountain Man has to come with a bit of a story. I am originally from North Carolina (where band member Amelia Randall Meath is from) but I lived away for most of my adult life. When I returned to North Carolina a couple years ago I noticed there has been an exodus of city-dwellers from San Francisco, Miami, Chicago and New York who are all moving to NC for the more affordable living. Most of this diaspora have romanticized notions of the south (think moonshine and banjo porch music). I befriended a great group of such people, who introduced me to Mountain Man as an example of what’s great about my own culture. That being said, who can resist the makeup of the band Molly Sarlé (a genius in her own right as a soloist singer-songwriter) Alexandra Sauser-Monnig (from Daughter of Swords), and Amelia Randall Meath (from Sylvan Esso).
11. Valley Queen
I honestly am surprised I’ve not recommend Valley Queen before. I’m equally surprised they’re not more famous than they are. Valley Queen is absolutely fabulous. Their songs “Hold on You”, “Razorblade”, and “In My Place,” are jaw-droppingly good and addictive. They have been compared to Fleetwood Mac and Florence and the Machine and when you hear those deep belted vocals from Natalie Carol you’ll see how those comparisons are justified. If I was forced to choose my favorite band from this list, I think it would be a close call but Valley Queen might be it.
12. The Marías
The Marías are so cool. The band was started by powerhouse couple Puerto Rican born María Zardoya and Los Angeles native Josh Conway. They’re lo-fi, psychedelic soul is very appealing, especially as late night weekend tunes. They have multiple Spanish-language tracks and often experiment with genres and musical styles.
13. Jade Bird
Last but not least is Jade Bird, who is an English singer-songwriter who has got Americana down pat. She has opened for First Aid Kit and London Grammar which has helped propel her into stardom. Particularly appealing is her rendition of “Walk Like an Egyptian” as well as her most popular song “Headstart”.