Women in Music Pt. I + a Playlist
Words and music by: Abby Yemm
Image from HAIM’s official Instagram account.
Here is our FIRST compilation of 2020’s best albums (with one EP and single mention) from badass female artists. It was just too difficult to narrow all this year’s talent to one list, so we are going with two! It’s perhaps not surprising that this list is packed with songs that not-so-subtly bring to mind another era (is it possible NOT to think Stevie Nicks when you hear HAIM?). After browsing favorite albums of the year, it was noticeable too, that many of our favorites had their own originality and familiar sounds that spark a flame from some majorly formative times (i.e. comfort music). So, we present to you our picks and a curated playlist from these fierce female musicians.
Chloe x Halle, Ungodly Hour
Clearly the Bailey sisters understand their angelic harmonizing abilities. Who else knows you better than a sibling? Sharing that blood bond and knowing each other’s pain and experiences seemingly lends itself to their uniquely distinct and beautiful duet abilities. These two! With their incredible talent, beauty, and youth - they surely have a path lit with stars (discovered by Beyoncé and playing for Michelle Obama doesn’t hurt either). Hands to heaven for this celestial second studio album.
Waxahatchee, Saint Cloud
In my opinion “Fire,” is the song of the year, full stop. Stripped-down, emotional, melodic poetry in motion. You can hear the honesty. It feels like a three-minute road trip to a daydream. A close second is the lush and lovely “Lilacs,” another indie folk gem. Truly an album that has helped get through a tough year.
Florence + The Machine, “Light Of Love”
At times this song so painfully tows the line between truth and art, it hurts (And, oh, my little sister, when the drugs were wearing off/ I climbed into your bed and said, I think I did too much). Not only is it painstakingly beautiful, it was also released to raise money for the UK’s Intensive Care Society. A brutal call and response look at destructive behavior with an optimistic uptempo choral ending? Done. Truth and art, so elegantly paired.
Haim, Women in Music Pt. III
Notable to this album and others: if you want to fall harder for the Haim sisters, watch their videos. So much joy. They play up the tongue-in-cheek vibe with cool girl fashion, SO well. It’s a California easiness that can also hit back at her ex-lovers with daggers 😍 🗡️. Plus there’s just some straight-up Janet level sexiness in here (cue “3 AM”). Of course there’s some Fleetwood Mac riffs and Joni vibes too, and it all WORKS.
Soccer Mommy, Color Theory
There is just something so cozy and late 80s/early 90s to this album. Hi, Mazzy Star. Hello, Neko Case. Tell me it doesn’t make you want to find your Sonic Youth shirt, Doc Martens, and watch Empire Records on the ’ol DVD player (or VHS). Twenty-two year old Sophie Allison has an inherent musical genre thing that could just be called “Winona Ryder.” Beetlejuice, beetlejuice, beetlejuice, baby. Brb grabbing flannel and poster of Ethan Hawke.
Selena Gomez, Rare
The beats and rhythms on Selena’s third studio album are just s-e-x-y. Maturity and experience is showing and it just sounds so relatable. Like what it felt like to go from your twenties to your thirties. Less bullshit, more appreciation for the things that matter. Less begging, more confidence. Self-care sounds good on you, SG.
Kali Uchis, TO FEEL ALIVE EP
Bring the club to you, vibe. When you want to go out but you can’t. This is the EP to stream and shake it to. Wash the dishes, do your laundry, listen to this EP. Included in the companion playlist we made for this piece is “Hold On” a dancey boy bye-style collab with Little Dragon. Dreamy, layered and very much in line with the future being female.
Taylor Swift, Folklore
Coming from someone who has been passionately anti-TS until this album, this is a revelation. It’s reflective like her other albums, but also less dramatic and cryptic blame game-y. It’s more reflective with love, and that feels mournful and real. Memories are inescapable, for better or worse. This album just makes her sound more self-actualized? Like acceptance and surrender. Perhaps that’s reading too far into it, but it just landed at the right time - right as many of us are in the weeds. A “cottagecore” reality check and tribute to honesty and kindness.
and a companion playlist…
PRESS PLAY
We can’t let you go without a companion playlist for this story. Check it out here.
Be well and play on, Nellies. XO