The Coup d'état of the Alternative Queens of Pop

Just two Queens on top of a car.

If you know me, then you'll know I'm obsessed with music. I was practically born with a Walkman fused to my ears and a set of twin speakers as feet. And when I say obsessed, I mean I am unashamedly one of those basic bishes that claims to have a 'really eclectic taste in music' on my currently defunct Tinder profile. However, I'm sorry but if switching from Journey (not even embarrassed), to Enya (still not embarrassed), then finishing with Alphabeat (guess what: yep, still not embarrassed) isn't eclectic, then I really don't know what is (insert sassy girl emoji here).

Here is Prince proving my point!

Now, like Journey once said, I have 'Open Arms' to all types of music. But over the last few years, it really has been the solo female artists that have been doing it for me (or, SENDING ME if we're using Twitter speak). And I'm not talking about your Taylor Swifts, your Beyoncés or your Ariana Grandes (they're all really good to be fair). No, I'm talking about the unsung female heroines of pop. And because I also love a list, I'm going to tell you about them (and suggest a good entry point whilst we're at it because I'm nice like that). Press play as you read about them and enjoy the new girl power in your life ✌

10. Kimbra

You see the word Kimbra and y'all have probably never heard of her... until I tell you that she was the guest vocalist on Gotye's marmite hit, 'Somebody That I Used To Know'. That song then opened the door and I've been following Kimbra ever since. Her debut album, 'Vows', juggles a lot of styles, showcasing her versatility as an artist. I also loved her aesthetic in the early days (it was soooo dreamy). Her subsequent albums feature a lot of gems too, and in all honesty, I don't think she gets the creative recognition she deserves, the Gotye collaboration being perhaps hard to shake off.

Good Entry Point: 'Cameo Lover' 

9. Jessie Ware

Eurgh, Jessie Ware is just 'goals tbh'. She sings, she is an amazing cook and can afford HelloFresh boxes for dinner (I wish that was an endorsement). I am not one for a ballad (you will hear me moaning about them when it gets closer to Eurovision), but I don't know, a Jessie Ware love song is something just that little bit different. I had 'Tough Love' in my car for about six months and I have no regrets.

Good Entry Point: 'Champagne Kisses' (Darius Remix)

8. Litany

Litany is the newest sister on my block. I heard her song 'Bedroom' in a Wrigley's advert, and I've been hooked ever since. She's sort of reminds me of the cool, best pupil in the music department teenager I never was. Effortless vocals, relatable lyrics and just good vibes. She's a sip of pink gin and lemonade with your mates in the park on a Summer's day.

Good Entry Point: 'Bedroom'

7. Carly Rae Jepsen

I love Carly Rae Jepsen and I would die on that hill. Recently, a colleague who shall remain nameless had the audacity to suggest that she only had 'one hit'. I have never been so affronted in all my life (and I will be that dramatic about it). So, it's now my life's mission to educate the ignorant about her and prove once and for all she is not a one-trick pony (more a very skilled dog competing at an obedience trial in Crufts).

Good Entry Point: 'Run Away with Me'

6. Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe is probably as perfect as any woman could hope to be. And her last album 'Dirty Computer' is nothing short of a masterpiece. Producing an album these days for human beings who have ever-diminishing attention spans is hard, but she managed to craft an entire album of pure, unadulterated bangers. Her set at Glastonbury last year was also outstanding. And she acts. I want to learn the lyrics to 'Django Jane' so much, just so I can recite them and impress people.

Good Entry Point: 'Make Me Feel'

5. Kelela

I owe my discovery of Kelela to Spotify. I love it when you get suggested an artist you otherwise would never have come across. 'Take Me Apart' was a sexy debut and is another one of those rare albums where every song is just perfection. And again, she is one of these artists that just doesn't seem to get a lot of airtime, despite being hugely talented. I really need a new album from her, pronto.

Good Entry Point: 'LMK'

4. Robyn

She's the OG really. So, confession time, but I didn't like 'Honey' when it first came out and then the more I listened to it, the more I loved it. It will go down in history as a classic. 'Between the Lines', for better or worse, became the soundtrack to my holiday last year, inspiring a complete rip-off of her music video documenting John and my adventures in Gran Canaria. She's incomparable and is rightly held up as a pop tour de force. I legit dance like Scarlett Johansson in 'A Marriage Story' to 'Missing U'.

Good Entry Point: 'Missing U'

3. Grimes

I don't care that she's probably an alien. And I don't care she's creating a whole new species of human with Elon Musk. She is absolutely adorable (I heard her speak for the first time a couple of weeks ago and I was so surprised) and she just seems like a musician that gets to do what she wants to do - everything from the music, to the videos, to her style. She's empowering, ethereal and pretty much the modern-day Enya. Obsessed and probably what I would sound like if I could make music.

Good Entry Point: 'Butterfly'

2. Christine and the Queens

I remember a couple of Christmases ago, watching Top of the Pops with the family when Christine and the Queens came on, singing 'Tilted'. My dad thought it was shite, I thought it was awesome (this happens A LOT). I sort of slowly absorbed 'Chaleur Humaine' over a few months but goodness, when she released 'Chris' - I thought I wanted to be with her (that '5 Dollars' video is the closest I've come to re-evaluating my sexuality). Her voice is so soulful, whether it's in English or French. I want a long career from this awesome lady, may her star always brighten. She also collaborated with my number one which was the high point of 2019.

Good Entry Point: 'Girlfriend'

1. Charli XCX

I know I'm not cool enough for Charli XCX. But whereas I wanted to be with Christine and the Queens, I just want to be Charli XCX. Everything about her - her attitude, her outlook, her style, the way she talks - eurgh, I'm not worthy. I've liked her since the days of yore with 'Fancy' or 'Boom Clap' but seriously, when she decided to stop doing the 'wicked, spahkly' pop princess stuff, that's when I converted. Everything from 'Roll with Me', to 'White Roses' to '2099' - I love her. I just need to get more cool before I can even dream of setting foot in a venue to see her live.

Good Entry Point: 'Roll with Me'

Honorable mentions: Banks, Kim Petras, Allie X, Susanne Sundfør

My queens. I will repeat them over and over, never getting sick of them. I just need a festival to be announced with all of these artists and for them not to be all on at the same time...