Written by Elizabeth Groening
1. Silver Sphere
@silver.sphere “i looked for you in every single crowd”
Two of Silver Sphere’s euphoric bops ended up on my top 5 played songs of 2020 because her music makes me feel like a sparkly fairy floating in the clouds. Uniquely, she writes her songs from the perspective of a girl who just landed on Earth, navigating love and heartbreak for the first time – “a pop star from another planet.” Her glittery EP, all my boyfriends will make you want to cry and dance at the same time.
My favorites: crowd, handle me, & ghosts! (all 3 have funky, retro beats that make me want to have a Scooby Doo marathon, lol)
2. Arlo Parks
@arlo.parks “you play him records I showed you”
Arlo Parks has the voice of a British angel. The vulnerability of her music reminds me a lot of Norah Jones, whose wispy music I used to listen to in the backseat of my mom’s car on our annual October drive to the pumpkin patch. Her song, “Black Dog,” is so intricate that listening to it feels healing, like drinking a cup of green tea for a sore throat. The honesty Arlo shares in her music empowers me to express myself unashamedly.
3. BLACKPINK
@blackpinkofficial “we are the lovesick girls”
BLACKPINK IN YOUR AREA!
I recently started listening to this K-pop girl group and I’m obsessed with Rosé, Jennie, Jisoo, and Lisa. They are so beautiful, so dope, & so talented. The amount of effort that they put into their music videos is unreal. All of the songs on their new album, simply titled, “The Album,” are straight-up bangers, exuding their self-confidence. Whenever I jam out to “Lovesick Girls,” I’m just like…I don’t need a boyfriend to be happy…I’m good by myself, which is the vibe I want to take with me into 2021.
My favorites: How You Like That (banger!), Love to Hate Me (banger!!), & Whistle (banger!!!)
4. Gracie Abrams
@gracieabrams “hate to picture you half-drunk happy”
AH! Gracie Abrams’ music gets me in my feels in the best way. The depth and specificity of her lyrics – “I get a little bit alone sometimes & I miss you again” – reminds me of Taylor Swift, always so relatable. I love the rawness of her voice because it sounds like she’s actually feeling the nostalgia of the songs. Her 2020 EP, “minor,” has songs like “I miss you, I’m sorry,” that will make you miss your first love, while tracks like “Friend,” that’ll make you glad it’s over.
5. Megan Thee Stallion
@theestallion “real hot girl sh*t"
I looove Megan Thee Stallion.
I loove how she owns her sexuality. I love her songs because they make me feel good in my body. During quarantine, my mom and I have had so many dance parties to “Girls in the Hood.” Megan’s music is the ultimate confidence booster and, hey, my mom and I are here for it. She’s hot & talented. Her latest album, “Good News,” is perfect to listen to if you want to feel hot & talented too.
My favorites: Captain Hook, Body, & Girls in the Hood (Thank you, Megan)
Add these women to your latest playlist & I pinkie promise, you’ll be feeling yourself in no time.
Elizabeth Groening is a journalism master’s student at the University of Oregon. She writes lifestyle pieces about pop culture, women’s rights, music, and entertainment. Read more of her work at https://www.elizabethgroening.com
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