Female singers take over the world (Kate Nash, Lily Allen, Missy Higgins, KT Tunstall, and many more…)
So lately I have been addicted to a wide range of female singer/songwriters. It seems as if they are taking over the music industry, but maybe that’s just me. Regardless, my “Chicks, man” playlist is
pretty much all I’m listening to these days. So I thought I would offer up our favorites, along with some YouTube action:Kate Nash - she’s ironic, bitter, and plain-spoken. Plus she has a real-girl body. Did I mention she’s extremely funny? Plus her videos are amazing, and very bright and colorful.
Kate Nash - Pumpkin Soup video (personal fave)
Lily Allen - more well known than Kate Nash but very similar. Lots of irony and humor in her songs, and her videos are also bright and colorful. Probably the most accessible of all of these singers as she is definitely the most attractive and her sound is a more… not generic, but uses more popular genres (like hip-hop). Plus she’s worked with Common :)
Lily Allen - Littlest Things video
Lily Allen - Smile video (her most famous song) Missy Higgins - Very different from the first two. Much more complex, serious lyricist and her videos reflect that with a way more muted color palette. She is an impressive lyricist by any standard, but for the most part her songs are darker without the edge of humor that a lot of the people on this list have, although her videos do have some humor in them.
Missy Higgins - Where I Stood (You might know this song from Smallville)
Sara Bareilles - She’s getting a huge push all over the place, so you may be sick of the promos for her on VH1 and whatnot. She is really talented and combines aspects of Kate Nash and Missy Higgins - she’s more plain-spoken and has some humor but leans more towards the serious side, and her videos are fanciful but with a muted color palette. She, like most pianists, has no idea what to do with her hands when she’s not playing piano but that’s my only gripe about her.
Sara Bareilles - Love Song video
Sara Bareilles - Fairytale video (this is a different version of this song than what’s on the album but does a lot more justice to her voice)
KT Tunstall - Definitely the most famous lady on this list, I swear I hear her music everywhere. The interesting thing is that her albums put her in the company of the other women on this list, but her live show puts her in a totally different league. She is by far one of the most amazing live performers I have ever seen, and one of the most amazing musicians I’ve ever seen - and I haven’t only seen crappy bands. She is much more straight rock and roll than every one else on my list and less girlie, but I love that about her.
KT Tunstall - Other Side of the World video
Finally a couple of honorable mentions:
For their work on a couple of Apple ads and general awesomeness, Feist (One Two Three Four) and Yael Naim (New Soul). Both have great albums you should check out.
Plus two amazing female (mostly) bands you also need to check out:
Eisley (Invasion) gets a lot more respect from my half of my household but is an absolutely amazing band that has just gotten better with their newer album, Combinations. The band is made up of three gals and two guys, but don’t hold that against them. ;)
Tegan and Sara (The Con) are twin sisters so I wasn’t sure where to put them. I liked them reasonably well prior to their newest album, but now I love them. They are really beyond incredible and definitely unique.
