While the global pandemic has halted major music tours and projects, there’s still a ton of awesome new music to discover in 2020. This post highlights several new albums and mixtapes by women artists that I’ve been enjoying. The music ranges from rock to pop to hip hop to electronica. No matter your taste, I hope you’ll find some good music to listen to during these times. It’ll be a bit before we’re all back together enjoying music in person, but let’s collectively sing along with and dance to music at home in the meantime. So until then!
Soccer Mommy – color theory
I’m so, so glad the 90s are making a resurgence among younger millennials and Gen Z kids. While it’s crazy that the 90s are now retro-cool, it’s been so nice enjoying new music in the same vein as the alt rock classics. Soccer Mommy is the stage name of Nashville-based Sophia Regina Allison. Her aesthetic brings me back to the grainy home-shot videos of the 90s, and her music is like a warm blanket on a chilly summer evening after the heat of the day.
Dua Lipa – Future Nostalgia
I recently caught Dua Lipa’s incredible video chat performance on James Corden’s Late Late Show and was blown away. After listening to the UK-based artist’s new album Future Nostalgia, I was further hooked on the funk/disco-inspired pop tunes. Her voice complements the music so well, and it’s hard not to dance to some of the bass lines, including the one in the Queen-esque “Break My Heart.” But the best part is that her music isn’t derivative – it blends her biggest inspirations into solid modern pop.
Kamaiyah – Got It Made
For any popular musical movement, there’s a point in time where things begin to lose steam. In the hip hop world today, I think the ultra-stylish mumble rap movement has hit a peak. Until the next big style comes into play, it’s a great time to go back to the basics. Since her breakout in 2017, Oakland native Kamaiyah has stuck to her uncompromising style – good old Bay Area hyphy-influenced hip hop. Her latest mixtape is meant to be played loud, preferably with a bass-thumping sound system.
TOKiMONSTA – Oasis Nocturno
I first highlighted TOKiMONSTA, stage name of LA-based Jennifer Lee, in my post on Asian electronic producers. In the ensuing years, she’s continued to impress with a string of solid releases, live performances, and collabs. Her latest album, Oasis Nocturno, is one of her most diverse and balanced yet. Her signature electronic sound shines through tracks spanning R&B, hip hop, pop, and house. She’s also been killing it during quarantine with tons of excellent livestreamed sets.
If you’re looking for more new music by women artists, check out my additional recs below:
- Charli XCX – how i’m feeling now
- Kehlani – It Was Good Until It Wasn’t
- Kali Uchis – TO FEEL ALIVE EP
- Purity Ring – WOMB
- Yaeji – WHAT WE DREW
- Jhené Aiko – Chilombo
