TOP FIVE FEMALE ARTISTS THAT NEED TO BE ON YOUR “CRYING ALONE IN MY BEDROOM” PLAYLIST

By Kayla Harper

If there is one thing many people have in common, it’s that we turn to music when dealing with strong emotions.  There is most-likely a song -or multiple songs -written for anything someone is going through. Whether you’re experiencing heartbreak and loss, or you’re in love, there is a song out there for you!  However, when dealing with your strongest emotions, the difficult ones, that -if you’re anything like me, you probably have the unhealthy habit of locking yourself in your room alone to deal with -you love sad music, and you love finding new sad songs to obsess over.  If this sounds like you, then keep reading for the top five female artists that you need on your “cry alone in your bedroom playlist”, if you don’t already have them!

5. Gracie Abrams 

The wonderful thing about Gracie Abrams is that she has perfected the craft of writing songs, particularly sad songs, that are relatable and catchy.  With lyrical depth and acoustic-synth instrumentals, Abrams has established a specific sound which she has carried from her first EP, Minor,  to her debut album Good Riddance.  Some of Abram’s most recognizable songs include, “I miss you, I’m sorry”, “Rockland”, “I Know It Won’t Work” and “21.”  While Abrams could still be described as an up-and-coming artist in the pop/alternative genre, she has already achieved great success, working with producers such as Aaron Dessner of The National, who is well-known for his work on Taylor Swift’s “folklore” and “evermore,” and she has gained great recognition this past year on Swift’s Era’s Tour, as an opening act on at least 30 shows in the U.S. leg.  Further, Abrams has received her first Grammy nomination at the 2024 ceremony for Best New Artist.

4. Sabrina Carpenter

While she has been popular in the film/music industries for many years, Sabrina Carpenter became a new staple in every pop-lover’s collection with the release of her sixth studio album, Emails I Can’t Send, in 2022.  Aside from Carpenter’s talented vocals and catchy melodies, Emails I Can’t Send highlighted her exceptional abilities as a songwriter as well. Songs like “decode”, “things I wish you said”, “Vicious”, “Tornado Warnings” and many more along with the albums title-track emphasize Carpenter’s talent of storytelling and capturing specific, but relatable emotions through detailed lyrics. The singer’s “Emails I Can’t Send tour” gained great attraction online making it a staple music event of 2023 globally. Carpenter only proved her talent further when she opened for the Latin American leg of Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour”.

3. Phoebe Bridgers 

It’s no secret that Phoebe Bridgers writes music for the sad, depressed and lonely.  She has become a staple in many sad playlists and achieved a mass amount of success from it.  Whether it’s her soothing vocals, delicate instrumentals, or interestingly captivating lyrics, she finds a way to hook listeners.  Like Abrams, Bridgers was also an opening act on many of Swift’s Era’s Tour shows, but unlike Abrams, this was not Bridger’s first time playing in stadiums, as she has already achieved a high level of success.  Bridgers’ talent for writing sad songs is represented well in the songs, “Demi Moore”, “Motion Sickness”, “I Know The End”, and “Scott Street.”

2. Lana Del Rey 

Maybe it’s the cohesive themes that carry through from one song to the next, or maybe it’s her perpetuating vocals, either way, Lana Del Rey’s talents should not be overlooked.  Del Rey is no hidden gem,  in fact, she has achieved great mainstream success and is well-known.  She definitely has a niche when it comes to songwriting, with captivating themes in her lyrics that carry from one album to the next, it gives Del Rey a unique sound when compared to other pop artists. She has been known to work with the producer, Jack Antonoff, who has become a staple in many pop albums, especially those of Del Rey, Taylor Swift and Lorde to name a few.  She finds herself exploring the stronger emotions that come along with heartbreak and healing in songs like “Million Dollar Man”, “Cinnamon Girl”, “Cruel World”, and “Sweet.”

1. Taylor Swift

Love her or hate her, one cannot deny Swift’s mass success over multiple genres and her incredible talent at songwriting.  Swift knows how to paint the perfect picture and then explain the emotions that the story entails through meticulously composed lyrics and melodies.  Throughout her multifaceted albums, Swift has a song for any emotion you could be feeling, whether that be loss, heartbreak, self-deprecation, there is a song written for you, some including, “My Tears Ricochet”, “Bigger Than The Whole Sky”, “Nothing New”, “The Archer”, and “All Too Well” (both the ten minute version and the regular five minute track are great for heartbreak).  In fact, the entirety of Swift’s “folklore” and “evermore” albums could be great additions to your sad-song playlists!

It’s no secret that there is an abundance of talent in the music industry, and an exceptional amount of songwriters who are experts at writing sad songs that pull at listeners heartstrings and deepest hurt. However, these are just a few personal favourites, some are already recognizable stars, others are up-and-coming artists who deserve more recognition for their talents. Either way, they all deserve a spot on your playlists!