Indie and Alternative Female Singers You Need to Hear

I am extremely particular about the female vocalists I listen to, and [inadvertently] judge them more critically than male artists. Many currently popular female singers seem to follow the same structure for each song; they also often have similar voices that are almost indistinguishable. The singers listed here are all extremely unique but equally catchy, also highlighted are some of my favorite songs by each artist.

Au Revoir Simone is made up of a trio of three women (Erika Forster, Annie Hart, and Heather D'Angelo). Their music is very upbeat, and they sound like a female version of Voxtrot. If you enjoy catchy indie pop you should definitely check out "Night Majestic", found on the album The Bird of Music.

Bat for Lashes centers around the singer-songwriter Natasha Khan, who was born in Pakistan and now resides in England. She has a gorgeous voice that is augmented by the many instruments she utilizes in her work. From electronic elements to violins, the song "What's a Girl to Do?" is a dark, beautiful piece that displays this multi-faceted singer perfectly.

Feist (Leslie Feist) is arguably my favorite female artist. You just cannot beat her voice. Although it might be replayed continuously on the radio and television, "1, 2, 3, 4" (featured on an iTunes commercial) is a remarkable hit, and its popularity is well warranted. Other astounding songs by Feist include "I Feel It All" and "Sea Lion Woman", both on the album The Reminder, which is one of my post played albums with a female singer.

Metric is led by Emily Haines, and her voice is comparable to Karen O's (of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs). It can be rough, ruthless, and assures you that she does not mess around; listen to "Monster Hospital", for example. The chorus of "I Fought the war but the war won" is fierce and recurring. Also look into the song "Glass Ceiling", one of my favorites from their album Live It Out.