To celebrate International Women’s Day 2021 here at Safe And Sound, we’ve comprised a list of 21 (see what we did there?) up-and-coming female rock stars that are on track to release some of the hottest hits of this year. From solo powerhouses to spirited quartets, this listicle is here to make you fall in love with some new favourites and for all of your playlists grow a bit.
All of these bands are on the cusp of greatness, and we hope you’ll give them some support in these trying times. Whether that be purchasing tickets, overindulging in piles of their merch, and collecting their albums from digital to vinyl. HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!
Nova Twins
Hailing from London, Nova Twins are a rock duo exploring a range of genres such as rap and punk rock. Formed in 2014, they have been on the music radar for some time, most recently releasing their debut album ‘Who Are The Girls‘ in early 2020. Having supported some of the biggest names in the current rock scene on tour such as Fever 333 and Prophets Of Rage, it is most definitely Nova Twins’ time to shine.
Pinkshift
The Baltimore pop-punk quartet Pinkshift has a sound reminiscent of your favourite early 2000’s emo bands like My Chemical Romance. So far, the band have released four singles, a collection that is set to make a promising album. Fan favourite ‘I’m Gonna Tell My Therapist On You’ has amassed over 800,000 streams since its release. Vocalist Ashrita Kumar has a powerful and impressive vocal range, which is able to complement the band’s ability to write hits that will have you hooked.
Delilah Bon
An explosion of colour, Delilah Bon is a force to reckoned with. Her website is adorned with mad pictures and is every anime fan’s proverbial wet dream. An explicit lyricist, Bon’s songs aren’t for the faint of heart. Hits such as ‘Chop Dicks’ and ‘I Don’t Listen To You’ are a witness to her feminist ideals. With wild verses like “You can’t really expect girls to beg for your dick,” her songs are truly a testament to the idea that men ain’t shit.
Cody Frost
You may have seen her on The Voice in 2016, under the mentorship of Boy George. Well, now Cody is playing her own game and has burst onto the music scene with her brand new single ‘Verbal Warnings,’ amassing over 80,000 streams in its first week of release. The song, supposedly about an awful ex-boss, is punchy and fuelled by Frost’s obvious passion for music. “Now I understand that you’re not the man, who sits on the throne with the cash in his hand. But there’s people like me who can’t live for free.” An artist in all senses of the word, Frost also created the cover for the single.
Phoebe Green
Just a small-town girl from St Annes, Phoebe Green definitely is one to watch. Her first EP ’02:00 AM‘ was a depiction of best friends and the simple joys to be found in life, yet her newest release ‘I Can’t Cry For You’ is powerful and seductive, as though she’s finally found her sound. Green’s music videos really enhance her sound and indie vibes, especially as many of them are creatively homemade. Self-defined as the ‘Shirley Temple of the North,’ Green’s latest album is available for pre-order on vinyl now.
Lauran Hibberd
An unequivocally and irrevocably explicit lyricist, Isle of Wight soloist Lauran Hibberd may only have a small catalogue of releases, but are all full of an amass of sexual innuendos. Her seemingly innocent tone is nothing compared to the true meaning of her words, like those in ‘Call Shotgun.‘ She whines: “I wish that I was not a sucker for the way, that you wear board shorts in the winter make it okay.” We cannot wait to hear more.
Arlo Parks
At just 20 years old, Parks released her first debut album Collapsed In Sunbeams; making her one of the youngest and most promising artists on our IWD list. After releasing her debut single ‘Cola‘ in 2018, Parks gained the attention of some very influential women; from being added to Michelle Obama’s playlist, to almost touring as an opener for Hayley Williams (Paramore). Her songs are poetically emotive, exploring themes of hope and love with hints of aggression.
Greta Isaac
Unlike most pop-artists, Greta Isaac has incredible range, able to juxtapose the sometimes thunderous, other times melodic instrumental sets that inhabit the background of her tracks. From Cowbridge Wales, Isaac’s song ‘Tied‘ depicts the need to get away from that small-town environment, “I’m tied, I tried to get away, but you won’t let me.” With tracks such as ‘You‘ reaching over two million streams on Spotify, Isaac is certainly receiving more traction within the music scene, and shows an insane amount of potential.
Jerry Williams
Unlike most artists on our IWD list, Jerry is one of the rare few to be unsigned to a record label, which makes her feat of steadily releasing a range of singles and eps over the last five years even more impressive. Self-funded and self-releasing, the indie-pop singer from Portsmouth draws on a range of influences, with sounds reminiscent of Catfish and the Bottlemen, Scouting For Girls and solo powerhouses like Lily Allen. With close to 6 million streams, fan favourite ‘Mother‘ is not unlike something you’d hear through the loudspeaker at your favourite indie nightclub.
Zuzu
Hailing from Liverpool, Zuzu’s accent breaks through into her music, adding an extra bit of spice that you never knew you needed. A self-affirming breaker of boundaries, “a mentality which feeds into the psyche of the city (Liverpool)” Zuzu has an energetic dominance over her listeners. Her latest EP ‘Skin And Bone‘ released during the pandemic (2020) depicts the story of missing experiences whilst we’re still young. “This is what we’re s’posed to be, loveless and carefree.” (What You Want)
The Big Moon
The London based female quartet The Big Moon released their debut album, ‘Love In The 4th Dimension,’ in 2017. The album was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize shortly after its release, ceremoniously throwing the band into the limelight of the music scene. Yet, three years of radio silence followed, until last year when they laboured over another album, called Walking Like We Do. Gritty and fierce, their latest album is an indie masterpiece with wailing guitars, clever harmonies and synths, an entirely different sound from their original work.
Hands Off Gretel
If female Nu-Metal is your go-to genre of 2021, Hands Off Gretel are definitely the one to watch. Not unlike The Pretty Reckless, Hands Off Gretel incorporate heavy riffs and fast-paced beats into their songs, bringing absolute mosh pit vibes. Hits such as ‘Kiss Me Girl‘ and ‘S.A.S.S.‘ are grunge filled aggressive tributes to pure girl power with the music videos to match. Although their latest release was back in 2019, there’s always the possibility of new music on the horizon.
Pale Waves
Formed in Manchester, rock band Pale Waves are a nostalgic imitation of early 2000s emo rock, with easily recognisable nods towards artists like Avril Lavigne, Evanescence and Paramore. Who Am I, released early this year, is their second album with many tracks already surpassing the one million stream mark. Gothic and lonely, lead singer Heather Baron Gracie sends the listener on what can only be described as an emotional roller coaster, exploring themes of love, yearning and loss.
Bigfatbig
With only three single releases under their belt, Newcastle trio Bigfatbig are still relatively new to the rock music scene. Their most listened to track Science perfectly blends surf pop with grunge rock “Chemistry, biology, toxic misogyny. Still haven’t had a single apology” is a quip towards the continued differential treatment that women still receive in comparison to men. Annoyingly, this sentiment is still relevant two years on from its original release! We’re crossing our fingers for more Bigfatbig releases in the future, and fully expect them to smash into the nation’s music scene.
The Cosmics
Birmingham based garage punk band The Cosmics have a sound unlike any other. Heavy guitar and pounding drumbeats drown out heady singer Erin Grace; in a way that makes their music sound as if it were coming from a faraway festival tent, where the sound tech boosted everything but the vocals. Fervent in its delivery, fan favourite Trust Is Blind is a heartfelt breakup story that turns sinister upon its conclusion with screeching guitar and climatic drumbeats: “I’m in love with you, but I’m gonna leave ya. I fell in love with someone else the other day and I still wanna see ya!”
Skullcrusher
Despite the name, LA’s very own Skullcrusher is a poetic and charming vocalist with a self-released EP and singles that are dreamy and full of imagination. Not far from something you probably scribbled down in your diary during a daydream, Skullcrusher’s lyrics are introspective of running away, finding love, and chasing your hopes and dreams. “All day at the bookstore, curled up in the same chair, I was lost in what we shared” (Song For Nick Drake) Close your eyes whilst you give the track a listen, it’s a piece of lyrical genius that you can really get lost in.
Cat SFX
Quartet Cat SFX may have only released two songs during their short musical career, but both tracks are absolute anarchic bangers influenced by the injustices and problems faced globally over the past few years. Influenced by rock powerhouses such as Nirvana, Sonic Youth, and Placebo, lead singer Cat Speranza’s lyrics are edgy and aggressive, her messages loud and clearly aimed at the state of the political oppression across the globe.
Lucia And The Best Boys
Indie trio Lucia And The Best Boys incorporate heartbreak and loss through raw heady vocals and unwavering bass lines in their latest release The State Of Things. After leaving the solo musician life behind, lead singer Lucia Fairfull has really come into her own, powering her inner Joan Jett both through her vocal delivery and stunning looks. Eating a tub of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream whilst curled up on the couch crying over the boy who ruined your life is a perfect way to prepare yourself for a good listen through of Lucia And The Best Boys’ back catalogue.
Vuvoki
Scottish rock duo Vuvoki are one of the most experienced musical alum on our IWD list with two full albums, three EPs and a range of singles under their belt. Eclectic in style and fashion choices, the duo somewhat resembles a mix of South African duo Die Antwoord and American pop star Billie Eilish, yet their sound is a perfect mix of heavy guitar and angsty vocals. Their latest album Fall Better begins with a computerized introduction called ‘17359‘ – “The content you have selected contains strong language, dark themes, and some dirty fucking riffs.” Honestly, if that doesn’t describe this band and their sound perfectly, I don’t know what will.
Dream Wife
Mixing pop, indie and rock, Dream Wife are a trio of outspoken punks, taking down the patriarchy with original and ingenious lyrics. Influences of Bikini Kill and Joan Jett shine through the band’s punchy and rebellious tracks and incredible fashion stylings. Eager to shut out the misogyny and injustices against the women of the world, the band tackle everything from meagre catcalls to the seriousness of rape culture in the track ‘Somebody.’ “What you wore and how you bore it so well. What did you expect would happen?” Their delivery of these messages are perfect, in the fact that every song has a catchy edge that sticks with you, as the meaning of the lyrics truly sink in.
Clews
Hailing from the other side of the world, Australian dynamic sister duo Clews have released a total of five singles, each as colourful and harmoniously grunge-filled as the next. Tributes to their lives and the small town of Ulladulla (New South Wales) are incorporated both lyrically and through their music video for Feel. Although their tracks represent a strong emotional connection to their childhoods and hometown, this Aussie duo are anything but tied down, having travelled the world, and sold out their own headline tours. Here’s hoping that we get an EP or even a full album from them soon.
