Year of Women

Women in music are an increasingly unstoppable and irresistible force. The waves of good music come one after another and prove only one thing... the females rock, be it gently or violently. They rock though, that much is certain. I don't know to what extent there is still sexism in the music industry, as beyond, but I'm glad to encounter as much music made by women as I now do, even more so down to the exceptional quality of it in recent years, it has no importance that some of them are dolls, beautiful creatures emitting those sounds.

This decade has already seen masterful efforts by Joanna Newsom, Agnes Obel, PJ Harvey and Anaϊs Mitchell, an oddly wonderful album by none other than Björk, of course, and great stuff by Laura Gibson, Sharon Van Etten, Fiona Apple and Kate Bush, still going strong as ever she was. That is to mention but a few. Recent years have startled me, in just how often I discover a new lady songwriter or one that had previously slipped through my radar. In fact, if I were to mention all of them this article would become a lengthy list of talent. Browsing the internet (yes, we all know it is worthwhile at times) can lead to magnificent discoveries, if only we know where to look.

This might just be the year of the woman though, yet again (and if not, they are at least holding their own in a territory historically considered a predominently male arena). There have long been women to turn heads and make powerful statements in their music, from Janis Joplin to Billie Holiday and Patti Smith to Blondie singer, Debbie Harry, but something about these days feels like it isn't such an unlikely breakthrough. The magnificent pieces of music and songwriting appear, one after another, made by women, almost putting the men in the shade. Whatever the reason, there is definitely a high standard of songcraft that reaches our ears made by the fairer sex.

The frontwoman of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Karen O, comes off like some psycho-psychedelic rainbow 'First Lady of Rock' chick, blazing a trail that oozes sex and charisma and is what Rock 'n' Roll would seem to be all about. Her band rocks like a bastard on top of that. Savages would seem to hail from some similarly rough terrain of the landscape of popular music, with a dark, bleak intensity and heavy atmosphere like a cloud coming down on the listener. It's a claustrophobic and compelling sound, sucking you in completely. The band is made up of four young women, who hopefully will only get better from the band's solid starting point.

This year alone, and just from what I have managed to hear, there has been a plethora of great new music. In fact, it's been one of the best years for music I can remember, even coming after last year, a wonderfully rich 12 months.

Amy Winehouse had the ability, character and songs to take over the world with her genius brand of pop music, much as Michael Jackson had twenty five or so years before, and she threatened to with her next album, but sadly, she was taken from us too soon. She needed mentioning in this feature, as the whole complexion of the article is affected by her absence. Nobody can know how high and magnificent she could have risen if she had fulfilled that immense talent, and it permanently saddens me to consider.

I've newly discovered a trio of female songwriters, all bringing something different, enchanting and feminine to my ears. They are intoxicating and beautiful, as they whisper in my ear, make it feel like it's just for me. Chelsea Wolfe, Julia Holter and Julianna Barwick are the sparks that led me to see the ladyfire burning all around me. It's truly beautiful to step into the universe of each of these women, at times. Each discovery is a special happening, each record a challenging inspiration for me as a songwriter and artist. Torres started the year off with a great debut, full of potential, and while I do not doubt I am missing many great artists, I cannot possibly discover all of this wondrous music. For now, at least not, anyway.

A few more people need a mention here. One woman is missing, a woman who continues to evolve at such a pace, mature beyond her years (for it is impossible not to mention). Yes, she is English, as am I, but my admiration of her is as what unfolds to be a master of her craft, nothing more. Her name is Laura Marling. She released her fourth album this spring. It didn't just show a speedy growth, but it elevates her above so many others to the kind of platform that Dylan (in my opinion, the greatest songwriter of all time) operates on. She cannot just write a powerful song, she can possess you and steal you away from the world in a way only a few ever could. The songs aren't dressed up. Mostly, this is a woman sat with a guitar, playing all songs she has written, with a voice effortlessly filled with life and love and brokenheartedness, singing to you, like it might just be the end of time. Her talent renders anyone who can really appreciate the art of all this utterly speechless. The chance she has of climbing even higher is what seems most exciting about all of it.

Finally, Agnes Obel will release her long awaited second album at the end of September, and I would consider it to be an unmissable work (new single 'The Curse' carries on where she left off before). If she has entirely matched her debut, then it will be a precious work, that much is sure. Anna Calvi, another energetic and unique musician will release her sophomore album as well, and who knows what else might appear and surprise me before the year is out? I feel sure I missed something amazing too. But for now, the army of female songwriters marches on, stronger than ever, calling for the attention of all who appreciate the gift of songwriting and the sound of beautiful music in their ears.