“I don’t wanna wait anymore, I’m tired of looking for answers” came from the beautifully harmonised mouths of Swedish duo First Aid Kit on ‘Silver Lining’, the first single from Stay Gold. I didn’t realise how poignant this was until recently. I was putting together a playlist of my favourite releases of 2014, when I noticed something different: the majority of the list was female. That’s right, all girl body part owners, just like myself.
The populist climate suggests that in order for women to have a hit record they have to either set Twitter ablaze pondering what their bass and treble looks like, grab their pseudo-lesbian bootys or do something untoward with an anaconda. OK, well you guys carry on amongst yourselves because, meanwhile, the women of Rock ‘n’ Roll have been getting down to business, making some of the most relevant and exciting music of 2014: lyrically en pointe, musically inventive and resonating around that temporal lobe.
From Drowned in Sound to BBC6 Music, female artists filled up editors’ picks for single/artist/album of the year, whilst 2014’s hottest ticket in town was the mighty return of Kate Bush. Personally, I feel that this is worth celebrating, and that we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg for bad ass music made by women.
Below, myself and Gigslutz Unsigned Artists Editor Mari have listed just some of the artists who got us by the throat and didn’t let go last year, and who we’re very much looking forward to hearing more of in 2015…
First Aid Kit
It’s been a big year for Stockholm’s First Aid Kit. A relentless gigging schedule has been rewarded with a Gold selling record and a tonne of critical acclaim. Without the addition of any ‘yeehaws’ or excessive farming references, the duo have produced a sumptuous country album, creating a soundscape as expansive, vivid and limitless as the eponymous road they sing of. I defy you not to stir while listening to ‘Silver Lining’, or at their recent cover of Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘America’. The lyrical content is what really gets me about First Aid Kit. At times self-loathing and critical enough to rival the likes of Morrissey, the Soderburg sisters’ lyrics invoke images of positivity at the most hopeless of times. Getting better with age, I can’t wait to see what they come up with next. Kate Tittley @LeTitts
Courtney Barnett
I probably love Courtney too much, as in if I could make an album, I’d want it to sound like hers; it’s like she stole my thoughts, but made them loads cooler. I also accidentally walked 8km in the Sydney heat to watch her play a student union – don’t care, it was lovely. An underground sensation whose head is starting to peer over the parapet, Barnett makes exquisitely written and often hilarious songs to an achingly cool psyche-folk-indie beat. On stage, her mid-tempo tunes morph into grunge time Seattle sped-up sweat fests, with her rocking out as hard as Cobain ever did. For me, she is the latest ‘lock your mates in your bedroom and make ‘em listen’ artist. KT
Jenny Lewis
Making her entrance in a rainbow tuxedo backed by a wall of reverb, Jenny Lewis shook up the second half of last year with a gutsy and glorious offering in the form of The Voyager (featuring First Aid Kit on back-up vocals and Ryan Adams on production no less). Gender neutral music it is not; what Lewis does is make a female perspective rock so hard you almost don’t notice how poignant and refreshing the subject matter is, making the song even more enduring. Stand out tracks like the melodic snarl of ‘One Of The Guys’ has more than a subtle nod to the body clock, while ‘Late Bloomer’ is probably the only song you’ll hear about exploring your sexuality that doesn’t have humping noises in it. Anthemic for the girls, and the guys can learn a lot here too. KT
Lizzo
Houston-bred, Minneapolis-based, Lizzo, is one of the most innovative, creative hip-hop artists in the world today. With her seamless delivery, Lizzo has an inspired talent for word-play and an ability to insightfully comment on society in an informed – yet witty – way, whilst oozing a unique charisma that it is impossible not to fall in love with. Her incredible debut album, Lizzobangers, displays Lizzo’s ability to effectively fuse together upbeat rap with her smooth, soulful vocals. From the enlightened and insightful offering that is ‘Faded’, to the witty, satirical and wonderfully charismatic ‘Batches And Cookies’, Lizzo oozes an utterly unique talent and sizzling soul. She is one in a million, the sheer beauty and aptitude of whom should not be ignored. And, FYI, my new year’s resolution: to finally see this phenomenal woman live. Mari Lane @marimindles
Honeyblood
Scottish duo Honeyblood have certainly been making waves with their catchy, raucous, garage-rock this year. They’ve toured with Superfood and Catfish And The Bottlemen, and have been a firm favourite on Steve Lamacq’s 6music show. Their eponymous debut album is filled with all the twinkly, sugary-pop melodies you could ever wish for, all fused together with catchy hooks and pummelling beats. With highlights such as ‘Killer Bangs’ and ‘Super Rat’, the album is a wonderful listen, but seeing Honeyblood live is on a whole other level… Lucky enough to be able to catch them on their NME tour with Superfood, I was blown away by their angst-driven, energy-fuelled and refreshingly raucous presence on stage: these two women create a beautiful cacophony that should not by missed. ML
Pins
Although their debut album, appropriately entitled Girls Like Us, was actually released in 2013, it was only at the start of last year that I heard Pins. And what a year 2014 was for them: having wowed crowds at SXSW, the Manchester quartet’s single ‘Waiting For The End’ hit our earwaves like a refreshing blast of fresh air. Pins exude a thrilling, post-punk buzz that stands out from the current wave of electro infused singer-songwriter types. Exuding raucous, retro rock sounds, the likes of which could be compared to female icons such as Siouxsie Sioux or Elastica, Pins offer a perfect balance of musical skill with a whole lot of fun. Just one watch of their karaoke-inspired video for ‘Waiting For The End’ and I’m desperate to be in their gang, being a girl like them, sharing their infectious joy and empowering sense of redemption. A perfect picture of the unity of friendship and an ability not to take life too seriously, the video seems to epitomize everything that Pins stand for. ML
Kate Tittley
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