Earlier this spring, in our annual Ones to Watch in Music Portfolio, we highlighted five female musicians who are making waves for their distinctive sound and authentic songwriting. But in a year full of really fantastic emerging talent, we couldn’t put an end to things there. A second part was a must! As we are in the canine days of summer, battling the oppressive temperatures and planning the last getaways before fall, it seems like the perfect time to refresh our playlists, and these five women are playing lively and sincere music.
Between the famous successes on TikTok, the exceptional performances at summer festivals and the growth of Spotify streams, these musicians are accumulating followers at a fast pace. From the soft and moving sounds of Olivia Dean (we are preoccupy with the Single “UFO” from her Album Messy) to the moody alternative tracks of Brooklynite Ari Abdul, passing through the electro-Pop vibes of Canadian singer-songwriter Charlotte Cardin and the Melting Pot sounds of Amaarae and Idman, there is something for everyone in the
One of the brightest and fastest Stars in the UK. Olivia Dean’s soft and vibrant sound is so unique in the Pop, Soul and R&B genres that it’s hard to attribute a label to her, but that’s exactly what it’s all about. His music is personal and relatable, but always associated with a touch of optimism. No wonder she attracted the attention of great artists like the Jonas Brothers and Elton John.
The 24-year-old has been making a name for herself since 2018, releasing a series of eps and collecting millions of Spotify streams, but 2023 will be a remarkable year for the singer, consisting of a successful collaboration with Leon Bridges, a performance at the legendary Glastonbury Festival and the release of her debut album Messy. Speaking of messiness, we can’t stop hearing the opening track “UFO” and the upbeat Ballad “Dive”.” In addition, Dean is a regular visitor to Fashion Week and a newly created Chanel ambassador.
Being in the Studio with my band was a special experience. We’ve been playing together for so many years, so including them was really important. We also had Russell, a Steel Pan player who starred in “Carmen.” The sound of Steel Pan is so pure and joyful to me. They make me feel connected to the Caribbean and to my grandmother. I’ve been dreaming of recording it on a song for a long time, I’m proud of it.
I love playing them all live, but I think right now it’s “Ladies Room.” We have a really fun instrumental breakdown where I can just dance and enjoy everyone’s playing. This is also one for my daughters.
