My real favorite of the two artists is Alynda Lee Segarra of Hurray for the Riff Raff. The group's last few albums have been steeped in an Americana sound (they are from New Orleans). In this new album, The Navigator, Segarra is revisiting her personal roots more deeply (she is Puerto Rican and grew up in the Bronx) while also commenting on broader issues of immigration and assimilation. You can currently stream the album on NPR. You can also read a review of one of the songs on the album (and listen tot he track) on Pitchfork. I highly recommend it!
The other artist releasing a new album is Laura Marling. I have been a fan of hers for years. My Laura Marling story is this: the only time I've ever called in and won something on the local radio station was two tickets to an intimate in-studio Laura Marling performance. It was pretty much the greatest freebie, as she is a wonderful solo performer who sounds best unplugged. It was breathtaking. She is a young singer/songwriter with incredible depth and maturity. Her recent albums have been imaginative and explored layers of identity. Below is the only song I've heard from the new album (Semper Femina) so far, and I like it!
Enjoy these and other powerful female singer/songwriters today for International Women's Day!
