A Curated Playlist of Underrated Female Artists On The Rise
Words by Camryn Teder
From glitzy electropop specialists to purveyors of distortion, there is a musician out there for everyone. The further we dig into new discographies and hone in on our ideal musical styles, the more gratifying this process becomes - but also overwhelming. A major downside of all this musical choice is that there really is too much to listen to, which is why our perfect artist is still impossible to find. This doesn’t mean we should just stick to what we know though. After all, there are so many ways to narrow an ever-growing pool of artists into digestible names.
If you feel like it’s time to forgo the search bar with its limitless options, press play on our curated playlist instead. This is for all those searching for burgeoning female voices in music, primarily in the spaces of indie pop and rock.*
Rose Gray - “Party People”
After growing up a certified club rat in East London, Rose Gray has
dedicated almost a decade of her life to honing her sound. Her sophomore
album Louder, Please came out earlier this year, and that shimmery dance
pop sound is addictive.
Lambrini Girls - “Love”
Punk is political, and the English duo Lambrini Girls is one of the best
modern groups of the genre. Similar to peers in the industry like IDLES and
Amyl and The Sniffers, their shameless lyrics and energy is a riot. Hear it
in their debut album Who Let The Dogs Out.
ML Buch - “Can’t Get Over You With You”
Based on how popular Mk.gee has gotten over the last year, I’d bet that
psychedelic guitar music is only going to get bigger in 2025. While there
are plenty of artists who fit this sound, ML Buch is one such act that needs
attention. Her sound is dreamy, off-kilter, and cool.
Tempest - “The Ranch”
Cheeky, fun, flirty, and relatable, this R&B artist released her debut EP, The
Ranch, last year, and she’s got a lot more in the tank.
Mijita - “Ain’t It Sick!”
This rising pop voice is an all-around vibrant artist from her hot pink corsets
to her smooth pop sound. Her debut album BIMBADA came out last year.
Luvcat - “Love & Money”
With her debut EP Love & Money out this Valentine’s Day, Luvcat has
already amassed millions of listeners thanks to her obsession with dark
romance. The moniker of singer Sophie Morgan, her new project is looking
to be a quick success.
Alix Page - “Girlfriend”
Similar to the tender sounds of singer-songwriters from Phoebe Bridgers to
Tommy Lefroy, Alix Page perfectly combines introspective songwriting with
dreamy instrumentals.
Sarah Kinsley - “What Was Mine”
Alix Page opened up for Sarah Kinsley on her tour last year. This alt-pop
artist is on everyone’s underrated list, including Chapell Roan’s.
SASAMI - “Take Care”
After starting her career with the group Cherry Glazerr, Sasami went solo
in 2018. From pop ballads to industrial rock, SASAMI dabbles in it all, and
she’s now getting the recognition she deserves.
Saya Gray - “LIE DOWN..”
This alt-pop artist is not afraid to venture out into different genres. Her self-
titled album SAYA is coming out later this month. Don’t miss it.
Freya McKee - “Blue”
After working for many years as an independent designer, Freya Mckee released her debut EP Lychee Juice last year. It’s a dream world of perfect pop and shoegaze.
Cecile Believe - “Stay Open”
This Canadian singer has worked with A.G. Cook, Magdalena Bay, and appeared on SOPHIE’s posthumous album. She only has one album out, Plucking a Cherry From The Void, but her expert sound design and ethereal nature shines through.
Sofie Royer - “I Forget (I’m So Young)”
Trained in classical music, this Austrian artist now makes well-informed electro-pop that got her collaborations with artists from the likes of Lana Del Rey to Toro Y Moi.
Theo Bleak - “Ursula”
True to her name, this singer-songwriter puts honesty and tenderness at the core of everything she does.
Rachel Prancer - “depraved”
From Frost Children to 100 gecs, people love internet electronica. Rachel Prancer is there too, but she also dabbles in alt-rock and pop. She hasn’t released an album yet, but her dozens of singles are enough to enjoy in the meantime.
Jane Penny - “Wear You Out”
The lead singer of the indie-rock group TOPS released her debut solo EP Surfacing last year. This is for all lovers of synth-pop.
Camille Schmidt - “Cult in Denver”
With her honest, weird indie rock, Camille Schmidt appeals to the masses. Her debut album, Nude #9, came out last year.
Georgia Gets By - “Some Kind of Angel”
Previously known for her work with BROODS, Georgia Nott is now embarking on a solo journey rooted in indie pop.
Vitesse X - “Palisade”
Starting off her career playing bass in shoegaze bands, this New York producer now meshes ambient with electro-pop on her own terms.
Oklou - “ict”
While this French producer has simmered in the underground for a while, Oklou is destined to get even bigger. Pop veterans like Mallrat are a fan, and with music blogs everywhere desperate for a feature, she is someone to keep an eye on. Her latest album choke enough just came out this year.
Addison Rae - “High Fashion”
While Addison Rae isn’t an underrated figure in the celebrity scene, she is in music. People are quick to write off artists who get their start from TikTok or some similar medium, throwing around terms like “industry plant” and “nepo baby.” While these titles are often justified, it doesn’t discredit someone's talent, and Addison Rae is a prime example. With her newer singles like “Diet Pepsi” and “High Fashion,” and collaborations with Charli XCX, it’s clear she is stepping into the artist she’s always wanted to be. She’s releasing her first album later this year and I can't wait.
*Shortly after the Great Recession of 2007, the genre of recession pop appeared. Categorized by songs that glorified escape, this era saw the rise of groups like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Pitbull. In a time where reality was imbued with financial fears, people were desperate to “party rock.” We started heading back to these types of songs early last year. With rising political and economic fears, people started turning to albums like Brat and Short n’ Sweet to deal with the heat. This trend will probably continue well into 2025, which also explains why a lot of these artists appeared on this list.
