On the Rise: Female Vocalists (September Edition)

Here's a new music segment I'm starting called "On the Rise" where I will be discussing a list of the top 10 up & coming bands or artists who are set to make it big. In companion with each post, there will be a playlist filled with songs from the people who are featured. For the month of September, all of these artists are female vocalists who are absolutely killing it right now. Following the reign of Lorde and others, here's 10 of the next best emerging singers who are on the rise. 

1.  Catey Shaw

Her viral song "Brooklyn Girls" sparked some criticism online because of the "Brooklyn stereotypes" used, some even going as far as to compare her to Rebecca Black. I didn't see a problem with it at all. Maybe it's cause I've never been to Brooklyn but I thought the song itself was a fun pop song and jammed to it the whole month of July. This rising star is armed with a ukulele, got a super unique voice, and rad dip dyed hair, so really what's not to love? Catey's got a brand new sophomore EP coming out next week so be sure to check that out. (Also her music videos are magical just fyi) 

2. Vérite

I only discovered Vérite a couple of weeks ago, but her songs have been on repeat for days on end. She's a 24 year old synth pop goddess also from Brooklyn, and her songs 'Weekend' and 'Strange Enough' have been blowing up on the internet from #1 on Hypem to being featured on a Buzzfeed list of the most underrated songs of the summer. Vérite's songs are all insanely infectious & the catchy choruses and melodies are the kind that you'll want to sing along to while have a one-man dance party. Don't get me wrong though, she makes no ordinary pop songs. While most EDM influenced tracks these days are beats over vocals, she plays the opposite game creating a cool atmospherical vibe with beautiful lyrics that can be heard clearly over it. Can you tell I can't get enough of her? I would definitely recommend if you are into Banks or Jessie Ware. 

3. Charli XCX

Admit it. You, like everyone else has probably been swept up into the glory that is Charli XCX. It's practically impossible you could have gotten around this summer, without hearing her voice on 'Fancy' with Iggy Azalea or her song 'Boom Clap' (an addition to the TFIOS soundtrack) somewhere in the world. Her latest song 'Break the Rules' is Fall's new angst filled banger, and with an upcoming album, she's set to take over the world. 

4. Willow Smith

Yes. That Willow Smith. As in daughter of Will and Jada Pinkett and sister of Jaden, Willow Smith. So you can imagine the surprise I felt when I stumbled upon a Willow Smith cover of the King Krule song 'Easy Easy'. At only 13 years old, she's back again with a new alternative sound that as different from the 'Whip My Hair' days as it can get. In the track, her soulful Rihanna-esque vocals are accompanied by a simple guitar bassline, and I have to say I totally dig it. I'd like to hear some originals in the future, but she is definitely not someone we should push aside just yet.

5. EVVY 

You definitely want to look out for EVVY (pronouced Eh-vy) in the near future of indie-pop stardom. Her 7 track EP out on SoundCloud is a solid debut from tracks like 'Got Me Movin'' that has a snazzy beat that will get you moving and grooving (This one's true to title!) to deeper cuts like 'Haze' and 'Calling' which bring out the emotion over the synth backing. As self-described by the singer's site "her honeyed vocals surrounding by a glittering production will pull you into her technicolor world of young love and heartbreak". There's really no better way to put it. 

6. Halsey 

I don't think I really need to say much about Halsey's future considering she's already signed to Capitol Records, is setting off on a tour with The Kooks and Priory this fall and is only 19 years old. Though she only has two songs out right now 'Ghost' and 'New Americana', she has a dark and brooding synth sound with raw and honest lyrics that draws similarities to CHVRCHES. 

7. Ryn Weaver

If you were on the internet this summer and don't know about Ryn Weaver I have no idea what you were doing. The previously unknown songstress came out of practically nowhere and her polished song 'Octahate' blew up overnight. Produced by Micheal Angelakos, Cashmere Cat, Benny Blanco and co-written with Charli XCX, her track quickly garnered hundreds of thousands of plays and earned praise from established artists like Hayley Williams of Paramore. Soon following, her debut EP Promises came out, and showed that the success of 'Octahate' was not a one-time deal, and the sleek aesthetic is spread to other tracks such as the anthem 'Promises' and the chilled out 'Stay Low'.   

8. Madeline Wells 

Although Madeline is a much smaller local singer-songwriter, there are definitely bright things on the horizon for her. I started out watching her YouTube singing videos online, but then saw her perform live at a museum party and was instantly captivated by her range of covers and original written pieces. Her lyrics weave stories that suck you right in and you can't help but listen closely. She goes by "Little Lion" on SoundCloud and I love the piano-driven tracks such as  'Tiger' as well as the more guitar-led songs like 'Charlie'.  

9. Banks

If you aren't already listening to Banks, then I have no idea what you are doing. Seriously get on it. Put it on your to-do list immediately. Jillian Banks AKA Banks creates haunting alternative electro-pop heavily influenced by R&B, that will put you in a trance from the moment the first beat kicks in. It's ethereal. It's atmospheric. It's magical. Her upcoming album (that comes out TOMORROW) is titled Goddess, which is fitting because Banks is indeed a goddess herself. 

10. Mapei

I've been a massive fan of Swedish singer Mapei's song 'Don't Wait' for about a year since it's come out now. Originally a rapper, she branched out on this modern soulful R&B pop sounding a little bit like Solange but described on the internet as "21st century gospel doo wop". Her latest song "Change" highlights her super powerful yet velvety voice launching into a chanting chorus that will instantly get stuck in your head. Her debut album Hey Hey comes out September 23rd and she'll be opening for Lykke Li this fall. 

AND THAT'S IT! Thanks for reading this insanely long rave, and I hope I gave you some new music to listen to this month! An 8tracks playlist with the featured artists will be at the end of this post. 

xx STAY RAD, FOXES

On the Rise: September Edition from radf0xes on 8tracks Radio.