11 female-fronted bands you should be listening to right now

Cheerleader
If you can’t tell already, we are obsessed with this Flint punk band. The band just released their debut album Bitchcraft and it’s the perfect album to awaken your inner feminist. Lead single “Beauty Queen” is a punch in the gut to men expecting women to dress up and get pretty for them.

Essential tracks: “Beauty Queen” and “Quencher.”

Courtney Barnett
In our humble opinion, this indie rocker from Melbourne, Australia was absolutely robbed at the 2016 Grammy Awards. Barnett was up for Best New Artist after releasing her debut album Sometimes I sit and think, and sometimes I just sit in 2015 to fantastic reviews and acclaims. Barnett's songwriting is just one stream of witty, off-end thoughts that Barnett faces in her daily life, plus she rips on the guitar like Kurt Cobain.

Essential tracks: “Pedestrian At Best,” “Avant Gardener,” and “Depreston.”

The Crane Wives
Hailing from the west side of the Mitten, this fun, folk band is led by two badass lady musicians, Kate Pillsbury and Emilee Petersmark, who began creating music together while working at a Chinese restaurant. With three albums under their belt and a slew of tour dates across the country, the group has come a long way from their days as college friends who like to jam. Their blend of dark, poetic lyrics and upbeat indie melodies creates a mix that makes you go, 'wait, what was I just dancing to?' and they have an anthem for every #millennialproblem. Essential tracks: "Steady, Steady," "Once & For All," and "Safe Ship, Harbored."

Flint Eastwood
Detroit’s own Flint Eastwood has been playing clubs in Detroit for a few years now, but they are starting to gain some well-deserved national attention. Currently, they are on an extensive tour of the Midwest with stops in Grand Rapids, Chicago, and Madison. Lead singer Jax Anderson has a nasty growl in her voice that is wrong in the best way possible. The band also just spent a week at SXSW performing their hearts out to the coolest people in Texas.

Essential tracks: “Glitches,” “Find What You’re Looking For,” “Small Victories.”

Haim
The sisters of Haim are on the cusp of releasing new music out in the world and we couldn’t be more excited. Their critically-acclaimed debut album Days Are Gone was released back in 2013, and we’ve been patiently waiting for new music ever since. The band consists of sisters Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim - each of whom plays their own respective instrument. If you haven’t listened before, they sound like Fleetwood Mac and TLC had a weird baby that is Jewish and has long middle parted hair.

Essential tracks: “The Wire,” “Falling,” and “Forever.”

Hinds
This garage rock band from Madrid, Spain is starting to make waves over here in America. Their much anticipated debut album Leave Me Alone came out this past January and they haven’t stopped touring since. Their lyrics are described as "a series of long drunk texts that you didn’t mean to send," but Hinds did because they are not ashamed of any of the partying or flirtations with boys. They have a real DIY esthetic that is refreshing and intriguing.

Essential tracks: “Garden,” “San Diego,” and “Chili Town.”

Natalie Prass
Singer-songwriter Natalie Prass hails from Nashville and draws inspiration from greats like Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. She has a very angelic voice (she could even pass for a Disney Princess) and is a sick guitar player. Most of her self-titled debut album is about a breakup so the songs are very relatable since we are all #foreveralone. Some songs ride the line between folk and indie, but it’s Prass’ intimate lyrics and soothing vocals that push her past other singer-songwriters.

Essential tracks: “Bird of Prey,” “My Baby Don’t Understand Me,” and “Why Don’t You Believe In Me?”

Savages
Do you ever just need to listen to some really loud, heavily-fueled in your face music? Then Savages is the band for you! These post-punk ladies are as raw as it comes. Lead singer Jehnny Beth is androgynous, beautiful, and creepy all at the same time. Her vocals soar over her bandmates thrashing guitars and heavy drums.

Essential tracks: “Adore” and “Surrender.”

Sunflower Bean
Rolling Stone called Sunflower Bean "the coolest new band out of NYC" and we could not agree more. Their debut album Human Ceremony is the band trying to figure out who they want to be, but it fits their aesthetic well since they are all 19, and from what we remember of 19, self-exploration was a central theme . Co-vocalist Julia Cumming handles bass and is ethereal and raw. She slaps her bass hard and loud, but has clean lines that don’t ever feel rushed.

Essential tracks: “Easier Said,” “Wall Watcher.”

Valley Hush
Another local Detroit band, this duo consists of Alex Kaye and Lianna Vanicelli. Lianna’s vocals are breathless and aggressive all at the same time. Their latest effort Don’t Wait came out last summer and it’s full of synth-pop songs that are catchy and melodic. It’s really hard to put a specific genre on this band because they cross lines of pop, electronic, and R&B. Listen to their latest single “Iris” and you’ll know what we are talking about. Shit gets funky!

Essential tracks: “Iris,” “Children,” and “The River.”

Wolf Alice
The four-piece alternative band released their debut EP back in 2013, but things really got turning when their debut album came out in 2015. They are a mix of grunge and alternative that is reminiscent of Seattle in the 90’s, except it’s 2015 and this band is from the UK. Lead singer Ellie Roswell is not only an amazing vocalist, but one hell of a guitar player, too. They were also nominated for a Grammy at this year’s past ceremony.

Essential tracks: “Moaning Lisa Smile,” “Fluffy,” and “Giant Peach.”