By: Gregg Keniston

It’s time to go…INTERNATIONAL! Coming away from another International Women’s Day and having the month to celebrate; we celebrate the amazing achievements, intense struggles, and historical moments of women past and present. Not to mention, it’s nearing the end of the first quarter of the new year – 2024, and so much has transpired already. Music holds its own highlights with women across the board and the spectrums of age, ethnicity, and most importantly – TALENT! Today we, flash back to some of the most exciting albums of the last ten years as well as a little of what’s to come.

2013

We saw a plethora of girl power flowing through each genre this year. From Country to Pop, from newcomer to legend, the ladies brought their A-game to the spotlight. Same Trailer Different Park by then-budding-artist, Kacey Musgraves saw an opportunity in Country music and pounced. The tides were turning in the radio landscape, moreover, the women were taking a larger stand for their presence of airplay in a male-dominated medium (which remains to this day.) Steeped in tongue-in-cheek controversy, from the hit single “Merry Go ‘Round,” to “Blowin’ Smoke,” and “Follow Your Arrow;” the singer sticks it to those who think that there is no place for abnormal or untraditional behaviors and lifestyles. She tells those same nay-sayers to effectively, “Keep It to Yourself,” should you not be comfortable with someone else.

Other albums stood out by turning up the volume to 11 including but, not limited to Demi by Demi Lovato, Ciara by Ciara, Avril by Avril Lavigne, while vocal legends resurfaced while decking the halls, glamouring up a set of classics; and some even resurface with more fire than ever before. From Lavigne’s “Here’s to Never Growing Up,” to “Heart Attack” by Lovato, “I’m Out” (feat. Nicki Minaj) and “Livin’ It Up” by Ciara, alongside “Somebody Loves Somebody” by Celine Dion; these records pack a powerful punch. A Mary Christmas and Wrapped In Red Mary J. Blige and Kelly Clarkson respectively put a smooth spin on Christmas while Gloria Estefan serenades with The Standards.

2014

This year brought about the year of a resurgence. Select artists returned with adrenaline in their veins while in the studio. Dolly Parton and Miranda Lambert lit the match on their albums Blue Smoke and Platinum. Other artists such as Ashanti, Toni Braxton (alongside Babyface), and Sara Evans released long-anticipated from their respective hiatuses.

Parton unpacked a host of covers and original material and did what only she can do, making the original songs bigger than ever. Full of radiance and uplifting messages, the album carries hits like “Home,” and “Lay Your Hands On Me,” as well as the title track “Blue Smoke.” Meanwhile, Lambert finds herself yearning for an old-school sound while sharpening her edges. With a duet featuring Carrie Underwood – “Something Bad” is the dynamite that finally explodes on the album, where “Automatic”, “Gravity is a Bi***” and “Babies Makin’ Babies” all makes subtle digs and acknowledgments at society back in the day versus now, ah how simplistic it was…or not, depends on your perspective.

Ashanti casts her vocals into a silhouette of tracks from her production team. Braveheart, affirms she is still a top contender in the music game. Standouts like: the title track “Intro/Braveheart,” “No Where” and “Don’t Tell Me No” will have you doing double-takes on her vocal prowess. Sara Evans unleashes a medley of hits with Slow Me Down. If you listen to the album top to bottom or reversed, it is as though she is brimming with glee by the end or yearning for a love whom one cannot seem to shake, nor does she want to. “Not Over You” (featuring and originally sung by Gavin DeGraw), “Revival,” and “Sweet Spot” are just a few of the many stand-outs on the album. Rounding out, the anticipation is Toni Braxton’s duet album with Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Love Marriage? & Divorce. If ever you need a sensual, feel-good, visual album – here you go! Every track is filled with tension, passion, and even some emotional trauma that many can relate to. The vivid lyrics transcend the time wasted in waiting for the return of Ms. Braxton.

2015

2015 saw the releases of some major comebacks as well as mind-blowing debuts. It’s a stark contrast to the minimalist view of the following year. Though some truly artistic and chart-topping material made waves in 2016, the waves did not measure up in terms of volume from its predecessor.

Kelsea Ballerini, Tori Kelly, Maddie & Tae, and Jesse Glynne all torpedoed into stardom in 2015, with Ballerini having the biggest success to follow. The First Time recaptured what it meant to have made an album with no tracks to be skipped from start to finish. Start Here by Maddie & Tae felt freeing and powerful in the face of the almighty “bro-country” radio waves. Finally, underdog Jess Glynne, poured her emotion all over and into I Cry When I Laugh. The pop star motivated everyone listening with “Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself.” The fire to push through every downfall can be heard throughout the album.

The two biggest shocking returns to the music scene were Disney sensation Hilary Duff and her album Breathe In. Breathe Out, and Adele’s 25. While it did not commercially hold up to anticipation, Breathe In. Breathe Out. had a few standouts like its hit single, “Sparks.” “Tattoo” remains a top contender as well. Other returns that rocked the charts were: Love Somebody by Reba McEntire; Confident by Demi Lovato; Revival by Selena Gomez; E.MO.TION by Carly Rae Jepsen; and even Storyteller by Carrie Underwood. Each album in its own right pierced right through the heart of creative mastery. Gomez and Lovato went raw and fought back against their demons. Underwood painted a picture throughout her whole record, and Jepsen made us feel good as only she can do with her bubbly persona.

2016

The following year in 2016, was just as numerous for the ladies in terms of record and album releases. But, what did come about, made up for the volume by cranking it all the way up. Long-awaited Anti sends Rihanna back into the musical stratosphere and beyond. Similarly, Beyoncé threw her hat in the ring with Lemonade and it became a cultural phenomenon just like its predecessor, the self-titled – Beyoncé. Other impacts for 2016 included: HERE by Alicia Keys; Dangerous Woman by Ariana Grande; Playing With Fire by Jennifer Nettles; and HERO by the newcomer…at the time, Maren Morris. Two big returns also came about: Mad Love by JoJo; and The Weight of These Wings by Miranda Lambert. These two ladies, overcame label mistreatment, creative silence, and heartbreak and divorce respectively; and still managed to pour all of that emotion and storytelling into their work. Who could’ve imagined all of this resurgence would become a firestorm?

2017

As it happens, 2017 was a quieter year for music but, for the ladies in particular. Taylor Swift unveiled her bolder, darker image on Reputation and it was pure epic strategy. The album is a traditional-Taylor masterpiece, in creating a story with her lyrics. Furthermore, it illuminates a new side to Taylor that breaks out of the shell she had been in for years behind the veils of Country music and adolescence. The pain of young fame starts to break through as with many young artists suffer. Before Swift’s big release, several women set the stage with tremendous debuts and follow-ups alike. Releases like: Ctrl by SZA and SweetSexySavage were strong, impactful, and career jump-starters. Follow-ups from some artists like P!NK with Beautiful Trauma – held a political statement as only she can do; Lust for Life by Lana Del Rey proved she’s been a sweet contender for a dark horse within the music industry; and Rainbow by Kesha exposed the dark side of the entertainment and music industry alike, thankfully which has since been garnering more and more callouts and revelations since. In contrast, Christian artist Mandisa released Out of the Dark to represent the light that comes from our toughest moments.

2018

The year was all about follow-ups and comebacks. Golden Hour by Kacey Musgrave glistened with hippie-like magic, capitalizing on the success of her debut and unleashing a psychedelic wave through country music. The album then went on to win all four of its Grammy-nominated categories of the year. Sugarland returned after eight years with Bigger! Carrie Underwood smashed a tour stratosphere with her release of Cry Pretty and the “Cry Pretty 360 Tour” that followed.

Cardi B came to prominence with her Invasion of Privacy and Bebe Rexha released her first full-length album Expectations; both dominating their respective fandoms and Cardi, creating a new plethora of fans around the globe. The ladies through the year were here to put on a show of all kinds.

2019

Artists like Ashley Tisdale and P!nk released their long-anticipated albums Symptoms and Hurts 2B Human both of which, achieved moderate success. Even Reba McEntire re-entered the music scene with Stronger Than the Truth.Every release was overshadowed that year however, by the epic release of Taylor Swift’s Lover album. Spawning singles like “You Need to Calm Down” and “Lover,” Swift was able to dominate the charts and the media with the record among all of the promotions.

Overall, 2019 was relatively quiet for the girls aside from a few later glimmers of releases such as: For the Girls by Kristin Chenoweth (haha see what I did there,) and Wildcard by Miranda Lambert. It seems that the “Swifties” had won the world stage with their summer of Lover.

2020

With a fresh, new decade among us, music artists felt the revival kick in. The “roaring twenties” may have been in the prior century however, the music industry experienced a revitalization of sorts. Everyone, from Meghan Trainor, JoJo and Carly Pearce to Haim, Jhené Aiko and Selena Gomez released a jaw-dropping bundle of hits. There were surprises around every corner. Ava Max shocked us all after all with her debut of Heaven & Hell.

Lady Gaga being one, finally graced us after a 4-year original material withdrawal with Chromatica. Additionally, Taylor Swift battled that and dropped not one but two, surprise records later in the year; Folklore and Evermore. Other artists like Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Brandy, Kelsea Ballerini, Kehlani, Margo Price, Chloe x Halle, and even Mandy Moore saw a more prominent commercial success of their music than prior releases. Whether it be label and marketing promotional revamps or simply a better album altogether, women were at the forefront of 2020 for sure.

2021

I guess you can say we had a calm before the storm but, in reverse, because 2021 was not just quiet for women in music but; music overall. It saw a quite a few releases of double-albums such as Carly Pearce’s 29: Written in Stone. It was a year of revival, remakes, and replicas. Reba McEntire put out a new spin on many of her hit songs in different stylings and variations. Taylor Swift began her re-release of her former records starting with Fearless (Taylor’s Version). Even Diana Ross stepped back into the spotlight, if only for a brief moment with Thank You. With this record, she reminds us of why she is still one of the greats that remain.

2022

While we received some glimmers and surprises this year, it remained relatively quiet for the ladies. Major music releases seemed to be few and far between. Pia Toscano released her long-awaited debut album, I’m Good, only to be outshined by Taylor Swift with Midnights. Swift has a knack for sweeping the floor when it comes to audience, marketing, and release dates. Notable artist releases included: Good Morning Gorgeous by Mary J. Blige; Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton; Just Like That… by Bonnie Raitt; Familia by Camila Cabello; Denim & Rhinestones by Carrie Underwood; Palomino by Miranda Lambert; and Renaissance by Beyoncé.

2023

We got a bit of an earworm in 2023. From Nicki Minaj’s pop-infused Pink Friday 2 to, “Flowers” from Miley Cyrus’ Endless Summer Vacation, and “Never Not Gonna Dance Again,” from P!nk’s Trustfall. It seems like our biggest treat was watching everyone’s angel Dolly Parton get a bit wild and light up her amp with Rockstar the most. It was one of the most anticipated records of the year. All in all, 2023 was lackluster when it should’ve had a more powerful punch. Who though can say what the next decade or more may bring to the table?

2024 and Beyond!

Heading into what already will be the second quarter of the year, we’ve seen some incredible returns to the spotlight and highly-anticipated albums that excitedly lived up to its hype. Some may have been commercial “flashes in the pan” but, personally, they have made the year strong and durable.

Following up her big hits “I Hope” and “The Good Ones,” Gabby Barrett released her sophomore album Chapter & Verse. It becomes a showcase of soft elegance and gratefulness for lessons, triumphs, and failures alike. What could be a better way to represent your growth than personal reflections and a short life journal for all to read? Additionally, we received new material from Jennifer Lopez with her sequel album This Is Me…Now. Written from a collection of love letters, the album is about her now again-husband Ben Affleck and the time in between This Is Me…Then and her new record and current state of marriage. The journey, while many proclaim not to care so much about a celebrity’s personal life, (albeit there is more in the world today to care for than about celebrity’s personal affairs; but, we are all human nonetheless) the theme and storytelling of the record offers an escape and indulgence we could all use in these dark, often uncertain times.

Fletcher similarly released her sophomore full-length album In Search of the Antidote. With all of the tracks written exclusively by the artist, she embodies a darker, more sexual version of Taylor Swift. With tracks like “Maybe I Am,” “Two Things Can Be True” and “Lead Me On” she vocalizes that there is more gray in our lives than meets the eye. And the desire of both past and present can have a heavy impact on how each new day is approached.

As of late, however, we see that Swift is growing more and more into her sensual side. In the recent release of The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor Swift dives into a sea of raw emotion and mental breakdown…but, not so much unhinged as it would be exploration of trauma.

What lies ahead, we will soon find out for the women of music who cultivate a series of joy, freedom, epic betrayal, heartbreak, or even personal concerns about themselves and their loved ones. 2024 and the rest of the decade is just getting started. With current events of today’s world, social media, each singer’s own life, and inspiration; there’s no telling what thrills lie ahead for the music industry. As long as the pioneering is possible, the music will keep on playing. Here’s to the women of music!