Playlist: Spring Female Favorites
- Rachel
- Mar 15, 2019
- 7 min read
In the spirit of Spring truly beginning, I created a female favorites playlist!
This is a collection of ten songs by ten female artists you may not know, but totally should. Most of these songs are a little melancholy (I have a type) but all are powerful as hell and I know you will love them as much as I do.
Here's a quick recap of each song and why I love the artist:
1. CHEATING ON U- LACY CAVALIER
This song was recommended by Lisa Cimorelli on her IG story and... seriously?! Cavalier's bluesy voice and R&B instrumentation is the cleanest combination I've heard from an up-and-coming artist in a long time.
This song is a burning tune about thinking of your ex and feeling like you're cheating on them even after you're done with them, which sounds crazy until you're the one relating closely to the lyrics. Cavalier's honesty and gorgeous voice are promising for the artist's future. "Cheating on U" is such an earworm and gives me the greatest vibes when I blast it in the car. (I think I sound as good as Cavalier, but I am well aware that I do not.)
Her newest single, "Andre", can be found on Spotify, YouTube, and other music streaming services.
2. UNDRUNK- FLETCHER
FLETCHER is a newer name on the scene, but her open conversations about sexuality and her relationship with popular YouTuber Shannon Beveridge put her name on the map.
Her newest single, "Undrunk", is a triumph for her alternative pop sound. This track could easily translate to a Top 40 hit in a matter of months with its catchy lyrics and universal message: HEY, EX. I WANT YOU BACK BUT I CAN'T GET YOU BACK. (Because yeah, I've been there, too.) This song is perfect for rolling your windows down and blasting as you run your daily errands or are on the way to class.
FLETCHER is more than her relationship status or great Instagram feed. She's going places in the industry. Check out the music video for "Undrunk" here.
3. BUBBLE- BANOFFEE
I have SO MUCH to say about Banoffee! She is one of my favorite live performances I have ever had the pleasure of seeing with my own two eyes. Banoffee is an Australia native who makes electronic/alt/pop music that is truly unique. I cannot compare her sound to anyone else.
Her first single, "Ninja", dropped in 2013 and she has steadily grown her audience and sound since then. While she is currently headlining her own shows in Australia, she accompanied another one of my list's artists, King Princess, on her U.S. tour this year. I saw both wonderful musicians at Nashville's Exit In and I wish I had listened to Banoffee's work before then. Her stage presence is that of a seasoned professional, and I truly hope to see her again.
"Bubble" is way too much fun. The track only last three and a half minutes, but those minutes are packed with so much that it feels like an alt-dance concert that you just want to live in. Check out this PAPER Mag article from November with Banoffee to learn more about her.
4. TRUTH HURTS- LIZZO
I love a woman and she goes by the name of Lizzo. Her song "Truth Hurts" is becoming massively popular on social media and honestly, I can understand why. Lizzo is quickly making a name for herself in the industry as an incredibly confident and talented rapper. I'd go so far as to say she could become the Queen Latifah of this generation. She's creating her own set of rules and branding herself cleverly. "Truth Hurts" is a song you can listen to over and over just to sing along to the badass lyrics without getting bored, as is the rest of her repertoire.
This track is an ode to the man Lizzo will NOT be the side chick for, and the self love she has after cutting him out of her life. It's a vibrant example of what women of color have to give to the industry, and I am so excited for her new album, Cuz I Love You, which debuts on April 19.
5. I KNOW (FEAT. FIONA APPLE) [RISE Recording]- KING PRINCESS
King Princess is the gay icon every gay girl desperately loves. (Let it be known that my girlfriend cut her hair so it was KP's length just a couple days ago because I think KP is so cute.)
King Princess, AKA Mikaela Straus, is a New York native with an unmistakable sound which caught the attention of one Mr. Harry Styles last year. Her U.S. "Pussy is God" Tour did incredibly well and it was an honor to see her at her Nashville stop. Sometimes I kind of thought she was looking near me and I almost passed out.
"I Know" is a cover of Fiona Apple's 1999 track... WITH FIONA APPLE. KP does what she wants and gets what she wants, including a Fiona Apple feature. This song is a Spotify RISE Recording, a Spotify program that brings up-and-coming musicians to the forefront through promotion as well as special recordings and videos. The RISE Recording program truly created something beautiful through this collaboration with two cool, IDGAF women and a song that has a haunting melody. The entirety of King Princess' RISE Recording playlist can be found here.
6. FLAMES- LAUREN CIMORELLI
Lauren Cimorelli is one-sixth of my favorite band, Cimorelli, and I fully believe Lauren is my soul sister. While Cimorelli is constantly creating new content on YouTube including original work, covers, and vlogs, Lauren Cimorelli has released two singles, "Running" and the subsequent "Flames" in the last several months. Both tracks are emotional alt-pop songs you would be surprised to know are written and produced by the singer herself, a true musical mastermind.
"Flames" is an honest description of burning for someone, regardless of the destruction it could cause. Lauren's voice makes my heart sing regardless of whether or not hers is the only one being showcased and I admire her honest storytelling in the band and her solo endeavors. Her songs transport you to the moments that inspired her singles and they don't let go from start to finish. My love for Lauren and her artistry is infinite. Check her out on Twitter to keep up with her new music and Cimorelli's work.
7. CALIFORNIA- IYLA
California native Iyla is the subject of my Marketing of Recording class' Marketing Plan assignment, and I just had to include her in this list.
I discovered Iyla through a random tweet of her music video for "Juice" back in January and searched back through my Twitter likes for the video a couple weeks ago because I knew I had to officially dive into her music. When I listened to her debut EP "War + Raindrops" from start to finish, I was blown away. Not only are her visuals amazing, her voice is one that is so incredible and brings something completely new to R&B.
"California" is a smooth ballad about being left by her ex and the way California's usual sunny weather was turned upside down by her lover's departure. Not only are Iyla's vocals pristine, the production is spotless. This track, as well as the rest of the EP, has been on repeat in my car as the weather becomes more bearable and I can finally roll my windows down. Keep Iyla on your radar, because she's going places. SWAY'S UNIVERSE just released an awesome interview with the singer, and you can watch it in its entirety here.
8. IF ONLY- RAVEENA
I have only just discovered Raveena, but this artist has the makings of a seasoned alternative R&B singer like H.E.R., Kehlani, and Sinead Harnett.
The strength Raveena sings about in "If Only" is the universal strength of a woman. The saying "hell has no fury like a woman scorned" is encapsulated in this pulsing, captivating soul ballad. I can't get enough of Raveena- her Instagram is dreamy enough- and her music is sure to impress in the future.
View the music video for her latest single, "Temptation", here, in anticipation of her debut album, expected later this year.
9. OVERNIGHT- MAGGIE ROGERS
I imagine that Maggie Rogers' gorgeous face is how I look even though we don't look like each other at all. I just love this woman's energy, freckles, style, and music.
Rogers is probably the name you would recognize before any other name on this list. Her big break being discovered by Pharrell in 2016 has propelled Rogers to stardom for her beautifully produced hit "Alaska". From her debut album Heard It In a Past Life, which was released in January, "Overnight" has been my favorite track from my very first listen. Rogers does justice to the alt-indie-pop genre and I cannot stress enough how this track accurately encapsulates being a young person who is unsure of where they will find themselves in the future.
"Overnight" is a different flavor of Maggie Rogers' music, but she doesn't let her audience down. The song is a hopeful and confidently lost yell into the void, and I can't help but sing the lyrics a little too loud in the shower or in the car. (Sorry to my neighbor.)
The full masterclass in which Pharrell discovered Rogers can be found here. It's an awesome video, and I show it to everyone I know.
10. ITALY- LISA CIMORELLI
It wouldn't be a post by me without at least two mentions of Cimorelli (and I ain't mad about it). Lauren Cimorelli's bandmate and older sister Lisa Cimorelli is in the process of releasing multiple singles, the third of which is "Italy".
The song's sound was inspired by Cimorelli's love for everyone's favorite genre, emo pop-punk of the early 2000s. The influence is clear in "Italy", from the searing first verse to the singer's incredible belting of the chorus. It must be said that Lisa is the queen of high notes, and her skills are on full display on this track. I love how honest this song is and how seamlessly the lyrics and instrumentation fit together to be one of the most honest pop-punk ballads of 2019. I am a sucker for a name call-out, and that is EXACTLY what Ms. Lisa Cimorelli gave us.
Cimorelli is massively successful as a group, and Lisa truly shines in both her solo material and her work in the band. Her live performance of another solo single, "Unloved", is a shining example of Lisa's talent.
AND ONE LAST THING...
I said I loved Cimorelli, right?
May I present... my Cimorelli tattoo.
Catch you on the flip,
Rachel
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