Bratty, Messy, Short n' Sweet: A Look At 2024 Music By Women

The music industry has always been a hotbed of cultural significance but 2024 proved to be the year of female artists. From breaking records to setting trends, women worldwide brought their A-game in every possible way. They did not just dominate charts but also rewrote rules, shattered glass ceilings, broke stereotypes, and shifted cultures. These talented artists transformed the music industry with their creativity and boundary-pushing art.

Taylor Swift: A Musical Monarch

It wouldn't be an article about music without mentioning Taylor Swift, who (dare I say) is the reigning queen of the industry. Her Eras Tour concerts shattered records as it collected a thunderous $2 Billion in ticket sales over 21 months, according to the New York Times. Swift's success is a slap in the face of the "childless cat lady" jab that many threw at her and several other women.

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Shilpa Rao's Ever-Green Voice

India's musical sensation Shilpa Rao firmly cemented her place as one of the leading voices in the country. From soulful Hindi tunes to catchy Telugu tracks, she was behind some of the most viral songs of the year in various Indian languages. Beyond her latest work, even some of her older songs continue to be celebrated and cherished by fans across generations; That's how timeless and vibrant her voice is!

Charli XCX

It would be absolutely unfair to exclude Charli XCX from this list. This 'young girl from Essex' created a cultural (and political, in some ways) revolution with her album 'Brat'. The theme of this album was to be the most unapologetic, rule-bending version of oneself -- in short, a brat! Charli's genre-blurring artistry emboldened her status as a true pioneer in the music industry. Even US Vice President Kamala Harris couldn't help but jump on the Brat bandwagon during her Presidential run!

Chappell Roan 

Chappell Roan is one of my personal favourites on this list as she has emerged as a breakout star on a mission to redefine the music industry and make her own rules. Her unique blend of electrifying pop, darkly emotional undertones, and theatrical performances has earned her the title, 'Queer Icon'. However, it is also her youthful personality, eccentric clothing and drag makeup that make her a standout artist ready to defy norms.

Sabrina Carpenter Dominates Playlists

Sabrina Carpenter's Short n' Sweet tour, named after her latest album, is another concert tour making headlines in 2024. The American popstar's songs like Espresso, Bed Chem, Juno, and Please, Please, Please were at the top of almost everyone's summer playlists in 2024. With her addictive voice and provocative lyrics, Carpenter has broken stereotypes and presented herself as a woman confident in her sexuality and preferences.

More of the most popular artists of the year include Rosé, Beyoncé, Tyla, Tulsi Kumar, Shreya Ghoshal, Olivia Rodrigo, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Dua Lipa, Lisa, and Sunidhi Chauhan, proving the power and unparalleled talent of women in the music industry. These artists, old and young, in India and abroad, are emerging as forces to be reckoned with.

Songs From 2024 That Define Girlhood

The following is a list of songs from 2024 that (I believe) are the epitome of girlhood-- from empowerment to vulnerability and sexuality to self-expression and everything in between. These songs became a way for women and girls to feel heard, express their shared experiences through art, and foster an understanding.

Girl, So Confusing - Charli XCX & Lorde

While Kendrick Lamar and Drake were exchanging diss tracks or Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter allegedly dropped shade on each other, on the other hand, Charli XCX and Lorde ended their 11-year-long feud by 'working it out on a remix'. Girl, So Confusing is a profound song about the intricacies of female friendships and the role of sisterhood in navigating societal expectations and misconceptions.

Sailor Song by Gigi Perez

Sailor Song is a highly evocative indie folk song-- a love letter wrapped into a ballad. Gigi Perez's voice emotes a poignant depth as she pines for her lover. The song carries a tender, emotional weight embodying the experiences of womanhood-- vulnerability, strength and longing. Notably, Perez, who identifies as a lesbian, has become a cherished artist among the queer community. 

The Conflict of the Mind by AURORA

The Conflict of the Mind by Norwegian singer AURORA is a tearjerker where the artist expresses her own pain through this song. Despite being deeply personal to the artist, the song expresses a relatable and passionate feeling of inner struggle, self-doubt, and emotional turmoil. 

Dance You Outta My Head by Cat Janice

Dance You Outta My Head is a catchy, 80s-disco-inspired song about an irresistible encounter with a 'secret crush'. However, beyond the feet-tapping tunes and infectious beats is a story rather sad. The singer, Cat Janice, made the song during her cancer battle and left all its rights to her 7-year-old son before she passed away in February 2024. The song captures a heartfelt message of love and hope from a mother to her young son.

Messy by Lola Young

We all know the countless expectations of women to be prim, proper, poised, and perfect. Yet, Lola Young defies these restrictions in her viral song, Messy, which is all about a woman's struggle with these norms; from being 'too messy' to being 'too clean'. In the song, she acknowledges her imperfections and vulnerability, understanding her raw self even if it is uncomfortable or unconventional.

Jump by Tyla

South Africa's Tyla has become a global phenomenon with her unique, creative music. In her song, Jump, she sings about her self-worth and power. She sings, "They never had a pretty girl from Jo'burg, see me now and that's what they prefer," referencing her roots in Johannesburg. Complete with Afrobeat music, this song is all about Tyla embracing her confidence, culture, identity, and sexuality.

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