There’s no doubt that Taylor Swift is running the world of music right now. With 10 original albums, another on the way, and re-recorded albums being released every few months, she has us all on the edge of our seats waiting for new lyrics to drop. And, if you’re like me, her extensive and diverse discography gives you plenty to listen to, no matter what mood you’re in.
In fact, I often find myself stuck in a familiar pattern of music: listening to the same artists over and over. The truth is that there are so many talented artists out there with very similar music just waiting to be discovered. I’ve spent the past couple of weeks craving some fresh music and searching to find some that fit Swift’s existing vibes.
If you’re also in the market to expand your Spotify catalog, look no further. Here are 5 smaller female artists to stream (and some song recommendations) if you like Swift.
Lyric
If you’re the type of person who enjoys gatekeeping artists you’ve known since they were small, Lyric is a good one to listen to. With only 21.8K monthly listeners, the Gold Coast singer/songwriter’s career is just beginning. Needless to say, I’m impressed so far.
Lyric’s song “Gravity” is what initially had me hooked. Upon my first listen, I was immediately getting Midnights vibes — it gives the same anticipating energy as Swift’s “Mastermind.” For all the cryptic and Machiavellian girls, “Gravity” is an amazing first listen, and a great gateway into the rest of her discography.
The singer’s stage name is no mistake: her lyricism and gift for storytelling in music are truly enthralling. Her song “Wine Stain” perfectly encapsulates the addictive-like qualities of a complex love, and “1985” is the perfect coming-of-age love song. Lyric has quickly become one of my favorite artists, and I’m excited to see what she does next.
Elle Coves
For an artist to give the same summery, light-hearted pop essence of 1989, look no further than Elle Coves. Living in Ireland, 19-year-old Coves has been making a name for herself in the industry by touring with Lewis Capaldi and producing some of the most underrated music I’ve ever heard.
You might know Coves already from her song “Before I Fall Apart,” which went viral on TikTok last year. Don’t get me wrong, it’s definitely a great listen, but Coves is so much more than her hit single. Her song “Headcase” has become one of my all-time favorite songs because it’s an upbeat yet gut-wrenching display of a situationship. She characterizes her pain as a “fake heartbreak” in a relatable twist of lyrics, and it’s seriously been on repeat since I first listened.
Coves claims to take inspiration from Swift, and it’s definitely visible in her music in an original, fresh way. If the feelings invoked by sunkissed skin, windows-down driving, and ocean breeze were mashed up into one song, it would be “Summer.” It’s a must-add to your seasonal playlists this year, and I could easily see it as a vault track from 1989. If you listen to only one artist on this list, let it be Coves — you won’t regret it.
bülow
Next on this list is Megan Bülow, a German-Canadian pop singer with just under 1M monthly listeners. I was first introduced to Bülow when she opened for Conan Gray on his Kid Krow tour in 2022 and fell in love with her mellow cover of “Lost” by Frank Ocean. The singer’s voice is truly mesmerizing and she repainted the song in a new, softer light that I wasn’t expecting.
Beyond her covers, Bülow’s original works are great listens too. “Get Stüpid” is a fun, upbeat party song with a catchy chorus, and my favorite of her discography is “Euphoria,” a song that highlights the temporary highs of toxic love. You might already know Bülow from her song “You & Jennifer” which was released in 2019. She’s already put out so much more great music since then, and I’m eagerly awaiting her next release.
Sophie Cates
Sophie Cates is another severely underrated singer with only 114.3K monthly listeners. She has a heavenly voice, and I can definitely see notes of Swift in her music.
“i don’t see you (how i used to)” is a great first listen, especially if you’re finally getting over that one person and looking for music to match those vibes. After that, I’d recommend “crowd” and “glow,” both of which are from Cates’ 2020 EP: all my boyfriends.
Griff
The last artist on this list is Griff, who was actually a personal recommendation from Swift herself. If you’re a die-hard Swiftie, you might recall her reposting Griff’s song “Vertigo” on her Instagram story a few months ago. I took a listen, and Swift was definitely onto something with this new artist.
Griff is a half-Jamaican, half-Chinese artist who has grown 2.8M monthly listeners since she joined the music industry in 2019. “Vertigo” is a beautifully produced song about a one-sided commitment to love. Beyond that, I’d recommend “Black Hole” for a funky song about love and loss. I tried to shorten my list of recommended songs to just three, but “Walk,” “Astronaut,” and “19th Hour” are all too good not to share. Recommended by Swift, Griff is a must-listen.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with listening to Swift on repeat. However, it’s always fun to find and support small artists. So, if you’re a Swiftie, make sure to give these girls a listen — you might just find your next top artist. Plus, the smaller the singer, the cheaper the concert tickets!
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