Women On Vox is our series highlighting talented ladies in music by tipping over 100 brilliant bands where women take centre stage.
In Part 1 we started by showcasing the female flair of some of our absolute favourites, starting with red-hot London trio Dream Wife and altogether profiling 25 artists across guitar-drawn styles, from indie rock to plush grunge to party punk.
Today we’re shifting the spotlight onto women from the lively world of alternative pop, featuring some of the more melodic, sharp and sugary music that we adore.
Our picks include electropop aplenty, but also indie earworms, Scandipop darlings and chilled electronica, all with complete profiles penned by FEISTY editor and Women On Vox assembler Katy.
We’ve also included vital statistics on every artist, and the essential discography you’d need to track down to gather their entire essential output.
Read on for the full second installment, or alternatively skip straight to the sounds with our full Spotify playlist:
Pale Waves
In a sentence: Of all the bands we’re featuring across five parts, it’s this polished indie pop quartet – with their backing from the Dirty Hit juggernaut – that we’re most certain will go astronomical in the years to come.
We’ve picked: The Tide, the single that announced them as an unsigned prospect back in 2015 and since reproduced for their All The Things I Never Said EP.
Hometown: Manchester, UK
Vocalist: Heather Baron-Gracie
Spotify followers: 54,026
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: EPs – All The Things I Never Said (2017); Singles – Television Romance (2017), There’s A Honey (2017), Heavenly (2015), The Tide (original, 2015); Demos – Lust (2014)
Anna of the North
In a sentence: Borne of an almost implausibly romantic backstory, Anna of the North’s ice-cool music is some of the most essential electropop of the decade, first noticed as a SoundCloud viral hit and now immortalised on their outstanding debut album.
We’ve picked: Someone, one of our favourites from Lovers.
Hometown: Gjøvik, NO
Vocalist: Anna Lotterud
Spotify followers: 51,099
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: Albums – Lovers (2017); Singles – Oslo (2017), Us (2016), The Dreamer (2015), Sway / Undervann (2014), ILYAF 1996 (2014)
Kitten
In a sentence: Dominated by their prodigious frontwoman Chloe Chaidez, Kitten create consistently immaculate alternative pop music, sprinkled with synths and ranging from perky guitar pop to their current retro-spirited brilliance.
We’ve picked: The new single I Did It! is one of our favourite tracks of 2018 to date.
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Vocalist: Chloe Chaidez
Spotify followers: 16,499
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: Albums – Kitten (2014); EPs – Heaven Or Somewhere In Between (2016), Like A Stranger (2013), Cut It Out (2012), Sunday School (2010); Compilations – Diamonds (2015); Singles – I Did It! (2018), Steal The Night (2016)
Fickle Friends
In a sentence: Packed with sleek pop hooks, Fickle Friends’ prolific output of glistening, catchy electropop finally builds to a crescendo this Friday with the release of a debut album we’ll be sure to have on heavy rotation.
We’ve picked: Glue, first released last year as a single and included on their full-length. Cry Baby is our favourite to not make the cut.
Hometown: Brighton, UK
Vocalist: Natassja Shiner
Spotify followers: 45,878
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: Albums – You Are Someone Else (2018); EPs – Glue (2017), Velvet (2015); Singles – Cry Baby (2016), Say No More (2015), For You (2014), Play (2014), Swim (first mix, 2014)
Skott
In a sentence: One of Scandinavia’s everpresent army of electronic pop starlets, Skott’s music follows mainstream tropes more closely than her peers but still possesses that unmistakable Swedish gleam.
We’ve picked: She’s released a new EP since – Russian Soul is the clever highlight – but Glitter & Gloss from early last year remains our favourite.
Hometown: Vikarbyn, SE
Vocalist: Pauline Skott
Spotify followers: 35,000
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: EPs – Stay Off My Mind (2018); Singles – Remain (2017), Mermaid (2017), Glitter & Gloss (2017), Lack Of Emotion (2016), Amelia (2016), Porcelain / Wolf (2016)
Wild Ones
In a sentence: Underrated indie pop group, with vocals that resemble CHVRCHES at their poppiest and something altogether more sombre in their more muted moments.
We’ve picked: Standing in the Back at Your Show, the wistful second single from last year’s Mirror Touch album. For something more syrupy, try album track No Money.
Hometown: Portland, OR, USA
Vocalist: Danielle Sullivan
Spotify followers: 11,434
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: Albums – Mirror Touch (2017), Keep It Safe (2013); EPs – Heatwave (2015), You’re A Winner (2010); Singles – Yard (2014), Hold On, We’re Going Home (2013)
Kristin Kontrol
In a sentence: The solo electropop reinvention of Kristin Welchez, frontwoman with dearly-missed indie icons Dum Dum Girls.
We’ve picked: Standalone single Concrete Love, but the unabashedly synth moments of X-Communicate are all essential.
Hometown: San Leandro, CA, USA
Vocalist: Kristin Welchez
Spotify followers: 4,779
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: Albums – X-Communicate (2016); Singles – Concrete Love (2017), Baby Are You In? (2016)
Nelson Can
In a sentence: Danish troupe combining pulsating bass riffs, vocal allure and thumping drums to create a mixture of fun indie disco and sultry pop-rock.
We’ve picked: Miracle, the high energy indie floorfiller from last year’s EP3.
Hometown: Copenhagen, DK
Vocalist: Selina Gin
Spotify followers: 4,746
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: Albums – Now Is Your Time To Deliver (2014); EPs – EP3 (2017), EP2 (2014), Nelson Can (2012); Singles – On Christmas Night (2017), Troublemaker (2012)
Gothic Tropic
In a sentence: Powerful alt-pop from the boundless Cecilia Della Peruti, influenced by R&B, psychedelia and new wave and scurrying around styles accordingly.
We’ve picked: Your Soul, a lush pop composition from her debut album Fast or Feast.
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Vocalist: Cecilia Della Peruti
Spotify followers: 3,393
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: Albums – Fast Or Feast (2017); EPs – Awesome Problems (2011); Singles – Puppet Master (2015), Underwater Games / Bird Of Prey (2014)
Ardyn
In a sentence: Gloucestershire duo with a knack for producing impeccable pop music, epitomised by smooth rhythms and Katy Pearson’s gentle, tuneful vocals.
We’ve picked: Together, taken from their third EP Bloom.
Hometown: Stroud, UK
Vocalist: Katy Pearson
Spotify followers: 3,832
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: EPs – Bloom (2017), The Valley (2016), Universe (2015)
Cronicle
In a sentence: An alternative girl turned electropop hopeful, Cronicle combines the pop stylings of her native Nordics with UK garage and dance music influences.
We’ve picked: Head Up & High, her first and only proper single release to date.
Hometown: Stockholm, SE
Vocalist: Melanie Mohlkert
Spotify followers: 56
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: Singles – Head Up & High (2018)
HALIE
In a sentence: Norwegian teen with marked similarities to Scandipop star Sigrid and a good tip to follow in her footsteps in the future.
We’ve picked: The endearing debut single Echo.
Hometown: Bergen, NO
Vocalist: Hannah Emilie Grung
Spotify followers: 924
Links: Facebook • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: Singles – Youth (2018), Echo (2017)
Pixey
In a sentence: Youthful, bedroom-produced pop from giddy Merseyside fledgling Lizzie Hillesdon.
We’ve picked: Lively single Hometown, complete with its punchy, breakbeat-inspired instrumentation.
Hometown: Liverpool, UK
Vocalist: Lizzie Hillesdon
Spotify followers: 609
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: Singles – Hometown (2017), Birthday (2017), Young (2016)
Peaness
In a sentence: Preppy indie pop from a cheery trio that contrast in approach, albeit not underlying lyrical depth, with the rawer bands that they often share a stage with.
We’ve picked: Ugly Veg from the Are You Sure? EP, a track about environmental damage and food waste.
Hometown: Chester, UK
Vocalists: Carlea “Balla” Balbenta, Jess Branley
Spotify followers: 861
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: EPs – Are You Sure? (2017), No Fun (2015)
Charly Bliss
In a sentence: Sugary pop-punk with grungy undertones, starring lively frontwoman Eva Hendricks and her one-of-a-kind candy vocal style.
We’ve picked: Glitter, the most memorable single from their debut album Guppy.
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY, USA
Vocalist: Eva Hendricks
Spotify followers: 12,943
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: Albums – Guppy (2017); EPs – Soft Serve (2014); Singles – Turd (2016), Clean (2013)
Miss World
In a sentence: Scuzzy guitar pop from the oddball solo project of Natalie Chahal, taking inspiration from ’90s girl rock and unhealthily obsessed with blow-up dolls.
We’ve picked: Click and Yr Mine, the gooey lo-fi standout of the Waist Management EP.
Hometown: London, UK
Vocalist: Natalie Chahal
Spotify followers: 207
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: EPs – Waist Management (2017)
The Regrettes
In a sentence: Zippy power pop, inspired by riot grrl and classic punk, and telling tales of teenage life.
We’ve picked: Come Together, the opening track from February’s Attention Seeker EP.
Hometown: Eagle Rock, CA, USA
Vocalist: Lydia Night
Spotify followers: 22,486
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: Albums – Feel Your Feelings Fool! (2017); EPs – Attention Seeker (2018), Hey! (2015); Singles – Back In Your Head (2017), Marshmallow World (2016)
Thea and the Wild
In a sentence: Thea Glenton Raknes creates clean indie pop with enduring choruses and glossy production, developing two acclaimed full-lengths to date.
We’ve picked: When a Kiss Becomes a Habit, from her new album Ikaros.
Hometown: Oslo, NO
Vocalist: Thea Glenton Raknes
Spotify followers: 821
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: Albums – Ikaros (2018), Strangers and Lovers (2014)
ASTR
In a sentence: Previously a twosome that fused R&B with electronica, ASTR reappeared recently as a solo project, dropping two easygoing singles at the back end of February.
We’ve picked: Ritual, our favourite of the new tracks. The EPs, while they haven’t aged well as a whole, contain a gem or two.
Hometown: New York City, NY, USA
Vocalist: Zoe Silverman
Spotify followers: 36,428
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: EPs – Homecoming (2015), Varsity (2014); Singles – Ritual (2018), In Your Eyes (2018)
La Lusid
In a sentence: Laidback, loungy, analogue-feeling pop from a band that have become more widely accessible since taking the decision to move away from their native Swedish tongue.
We’ve picked: Brand new single Empty Bones, released earlier this month.
Hometown: Stockholm, SE
Vocalist: Paulina Palmgren
Spotify followers: 267
Links: Facebook • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: EPs – Legend (2017), Legend (Swedish Version) (2017); Singles – Empty Bones (2018), Årsta Brygga (2017)
The Marías
In a sentence: Chilled electronic pop from a viral marvel who’ve enjoyed widespread adoration since the release of their debut EP last year.
We’ve picked: I Don’t Know You, the spellbinding opening track from the Superclean Vol. I EP.
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Vocalist: Maria Zardoya
Spotify followers: 19,666
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: EPs – Superclean Vol. I (2017)
Cajsa Siik
In a sentence: Cult indie singer-songwriter from Sweden who, with her ethereal vocals and dainty, plush instrumentation, has ascended in stature from album to album.
We’ve picked: It’s unlike any of her other output, but we’ve went with the incredible old-school synthpop edit of White Noise by Forêt de Vin. We’d love to see her work with him again.
Hometown: Umeå, SE
Vocalist: Cajsa Siik
Spotify followers: 3,332
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: Albums – Domino (2017), Contra (2014), Plastic House (2012); EPs – Ego (2013); Singles – White Noise (Forêt De Vin’s 1988 Edit) (2017), Change Of Heart (2015), State Of Low (2015), Follow You Down (2015)
Sheila and the Kit
In a sentence: Electropop upstarts and potential future movers from the Netherlands, a cheeky little pleasure with glossy vocals and ritzy, polished synths.
We’ve picked: The second single Next 2 U, released last year. It’s one of three singles to date.
Hometown: Amsterdam, NL
Vocalist: Suzanne Kipping
Spotify followers: 59
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: Singles – Good Love Stories (2018), Next 2 U (2017), Homeschool Sweethearts (2017)
Let’s Eat Grandma
In a sentence: Young duo that take the fundamentals of pop and experiment zealously, from the eclecticism of their debut album to the wacky all-out pop of their 2018 rebirth.
We’ve picked: New single Hot Pink, a celebration of femininity and a much glossier take on their sound.
Hometown: Norwich, UK
Vocalists: Rosa Walton, Jenny Hollingworth
Spotify followers: 11,945
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: Albums – I, Gemini (2016); Singles – Hot Pink (2018), Sink (2016)
GIRLI
In a sentence: Not to be missed, the unparallaled world of singer-slash-rapper GIRLI is one of biting lyricism, insatiable rhythms and – as her proud moniker suggests – lofty femininity.
We’ve picked: Hot Mess. Specifically, the sharp original, although there’s a single take featuring Anteros to check out too.
Hometown: London, UK
Vocalist: Milly Toomey
Spotify followers: 14,255
Links: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify
Selected discography: EPs – Hot Mess (2017), Feel OK (2017); Singles – Mr 10pm Bedtime (with The Tuts, 2017), Hot Mess (with Anteros, 2017), Fuck Right Back Off To LA (2016), Girls Get Angry Too (2016), It Was My Party Last Night (2016), Too Much Fun (2016), Girl I Met On The Internet (2016), Breaking My Phone (2016), So You Think You Can Fuck With Me Do Ya / ASBOys (2015), Handbrake (2014)
Part 3 of FEISTY’s Women On Vox will be published on Wednesday 14 March 2018. Like what you’ve heard? Let us know, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
