As a woman, I find it really inspirational to see many talented girls express themselves through music. A lot of my close friends sing, play instruments, or produce and write their own songs, and I’m truly impressed by how much creativity and artistry they put into their work. That’s why I would love to share some up-and-coming female artists who embrace their femininity while telling their own stories through song.
The first artist I want to talk about is Adéla, a ballerina turned pop star who recently released her debut album PRIMA. You may recognize her from songs such as “Ain’t in LA” and “Nicole Kidman,” as they’ve started to blow up on Instagram and TikTok. One thing you might not know about her is how she got started in music.
In 2023, Adéla joined Dream Academy, the competition show that eventually led to the creation of the global girl pop group KATSEYE. Despite working hard and excelling in dance evaluations, she was eliminated from the show after receiving the least amount of votes from fans. This setback proved to be the catalyst for her solo career, leading her to release her debut song “Homewrecked” in September 2024.
I really like how Adéla’s music can be explosive and jaw-dropping while also being so vulnerable and raw. One second she’s doing intense floor work, and the next she’s opening up about her “one-sided” love of ballet. Some of my favorite songs of hers are “KGB”, “Superscar,” and “Fantasize.”
Chrissy Chlapecka is another artist I’ve been listening to lately. She started out as a TikTok creator, mainly participating in #BimboTok, a subculture that reclaims the “bimbo” stereotype as a means to support feminism and satirize the problems women face in the daily world. Her early music reflects these ideas in songs such as “Alpha” and “10 Boyfriends,” highlighting her femininity while poking fun at the harmful stereotypes constantly placed on women.
In her recent album Christine, she still keeps her feminine persona, but she focuses more on themes of self-acceptance and queer relationships while maintaining a futuristic and celestial aesthetic. I really like how she embraces her sexuality and empowers women to be the most confident versions of themselves. I highly suggest listening to “Cassiopeia,” “Aria,” and “Passionfruit”!
Last but not least is Melina KB. Before fully committing to being an independent artist, Melina was an intern for multiple entertainment companies such as Song Suffragettes and Starstruck Entertainment, and she even wrote music for the show Hamster & Gretel alongside Phineas and Ferb co-creator Dan Povenmire.
Her discography combines theatrical storytelling with a pop sound, creating her own genre of “musical theater pop.” Many of her songs cover topics ranging from misogyny and violence against women to LGBTQ+ acceptance and relationships.
One of the things I really admire about Melina is her ability to convey an intriguing plot through music. A great example of this is her song “Will I Survive the Night?,” where she creates drama and suspense in the instrumental, leaving the audience to wonder if she’ll escape from the “horror movie scene” she claims to be in. Her usage of imagery in her songwriting is incredible, and I can clearly visualize the scenario she describes in her songs. My favorite songs are definitely “Never Acting at All,” “Leftovers,” and “Ghost Light.”
These three artists are so inspirational to me, and I admire their ability to discuss meaningful topics through song while embracing their authentic selves. Their music empowers me to love myself unconditionally and advocate for myself and the people around me. I look forward to seeing Adéla, Chrissy Chlapecka, and Melina KB continue to release great music, and I hope you’ll consider giving them a listen, too!
