Just because female-fronted bands rock and these are the ones that you don't want to miss
In the past few years, the number of female-fronted bands and artists in the indie scene has grown at a significant rate, to name a few of our new favourites – Snail Mail, Fazerdaze and TOPS. Bands that consist of both genders are awesome, so we’ve gathered some of our favourite female-fronted bands of the 21st century that we think should be on your playlist.
8 Female-fronted bands we can’t get enough of
1. Cherry Glazerr
Formed in 2013 by lead singer/guitarist Clementine Creevy, American indie rock band Cherry Glazerr has diverse writing and musical styles – ranging from lo-fi, garage rock to punk and new wave. Their sophomore album Apocalipstick unapologetically taps into the themes of female sexuality, independence, empowerment and consumerism. Definitely one of one of the coolest female-fronted bands to check out!
2. Frankie Cosmos
Signed to Sub Pop Records, Frankie Cosmos started out as a solo project by Greta Kline. Most known for her unique and avant-garde singing style – almost like story-telling – Frankie Cosmos (now as a full-fledged band) have released their third studio album Vessel, which is an emotional one that discusses breakups, anxiety and learning about self-love.
3. Death Valley Girls
Having recently announced their upcoming album, a follow-up to their swaggering punk rock third album Glow in the Dark, Death Valley Girls’ music talks about gender equality, mental health and staying true to yourself. If you believe in rock ‘n’ roll like frontwoman Bonnie Bloomgarden, then this Los Angeles-based garage rock band is definitely one of the most savage female-fronted bands not to be missed.
4. Alvvays
For those who fancy synth-driven dream pop melodies fused with shoegaze elements, Toronto-based indie band Alvvays are an absolute treasure. Having delivered two brilliant sounding (and bittersweet) albums named Alvvays and Antisocialites talking about being young and confused and social anxiety. Molly Rankin is considered one of the most talented and introverted frontwoman of our days. Definitely a band worth checking out!
Read our full interview with Alvvays here
5. Kero Kero Bonito
Meaning frog croaks and a kind of fish in Japanese, Kero Kero Bonito is a London-based electropop band that has just released their second full-length album Time ‘n’ Place. By incorporating elements of J-pop and noise – frontwoman Sarah being half Japanese also sings and raps in Japanese and English – the band has gained huge traction across Europe with their bubbly synths and adorable vocals.
Find out what Kero Kero Bonito songs we’re loving
6. Daughter
Formed in 2010 by singer/guitarist Elena Tonra and guitarist Igor Haefeli, and later joined by drummer Remi Aguilella, British indie folk band Daughter crafts perhaps the saddest and most heartbreaking songs. As the band matures, their music stays melancholic, honest and beautifully poetic. Whether it’s their earliest EPs His Young Heart or their full-length albums like If You Leave and Not to Disappear, their songs are guaranteed to make you weep.
7. Ian Sweet
Based in Los Angeles, indie rock project Ian Sweet was created by Jilian Medford. Her debut album Shapeshifter released in 2016 talks about relationships and loneliness with stories about skateboarding and sitting on a cactus. Having transitioned from lo-fi to alternative rock throughout the album, Ian Sweet are definitely one of the most exciting female-fronted bands in the indie rock scene right now.
8. Big Thief
Fronted by Adrianne Lenker, Brooklyn-based indie rock band Big Thief makes music that speaks about vulnerability and being fragile. Their latest release Capacity, the band’s critically-acclaimed sophomore album, takes indie rock and folk to another level and it’s beyond beautiful.
