Taylor Swift- the icon, the musical chameleon, the singer/songwriter known for her storytelling, one of the most awarded female musicians of our time- seems to have a song for everything. Whether it’s her more country-esque earlier sounds, her glitzy pop era, her new folk-style lullabies or anything in between, there’s a Taylor song for everything. Because of this, her influence has spread to countless lesser-known musicians, all of which are just as wonderful to listen to. So, if you’re a) a Swiftie, b) always listening to music and c) always looking for something new, here are five lesser-known female artists whose works are all reminiscent of Taylor’s.
- Kathryn Gallagher
You may know her name or her face from the musicals Spring Awakening or Jagged Little Pill on Broadway, or from the Netflix show You. But besides her wonderful acting, Kathryn writes raw and heartfelt narratives similar to those on Taylor Swift’s early 2010s albums Speak Now and Red. Her voice isn’t a stereotypical musical-theatre type voice despite her Broadway past; rather, it crackles with emotion and power. From heartbreak ballads such as “My Therapist Calls It Healing” and “Friends to Entertain” to upbeat windows-down jams such as “Nostalgic for the Moment” and “93,” Kathryn’s music has all the feels we Swifties always crave.
- Anais Mitchell
Another name you may know from the theatre community, Anais Mitchell is the writer of the Tony-winning musical Hadestown. Yet somehow, her solo work is hardly spoken of, both within and outside of the theatre community. Fans of Taylor’s folklore and evermore will find striking similarities between Anais’ songs, embracing the simplistic sounds of just her voice and one or two instruments (typically a mandolin or guitar) and the complex stories being told. Anais tells stories of all kinds of people, such as coal miners, New Orleans citizens, lost children or even biblical figures. In fact, Hadestown began as a collection of folk songs based on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, several of which are strewn throughout Anais’ earlier albums. The tales from Anais’ albums such as Hymns for the Exiled and The Brightness are sure to appeal to those who consider Taylor’s folk tales to be her best work.
- Lennon Stella
If you’re a fan of younger Taylor, but you prefer a slightly darker version of some of her earlier anthems, Lennon Stella is sure to be a new favorite of yours. The young Canadian vocalist got her start performing with her sister, then went solo in 2018, collaborating with artists such as The Chainsmokers, Liam Payne, and Jonas Blue. Her heartfelt songs about young love/boy drama, feelings of inferiority and growing up too quickly all bear a slight resemblance to Taylor’s debut album and Fearless. Lennon’s youth, like Taylor’s youth when she created those albums, is what gives her such a wide-eyed perspective that is revealed in her lyrics. Although Lennon only has one full album, titled Three. Two. One. (in addition to her EP Love, me and some singles), her music career is just getting started, and I’m sure this was how Taylor’s earliest fans once felt about her and her future.
- Charlotte Lawrence
Another young up-and-comer, Charlotte Lawrence is a 20-year-old from Los Angeles. Her album, several singles and EPs all bear a similarity to Taylor’s Lover in their sound quality, but their resemblance to Taylor’s earlier music is found in her lyrics. Charlotte’s music is all very reflective of a typical modern twenty year old’s mindset, and her honest lyrics (backed by electro-pop instrumentation) create vivid images in listeners’ minds, such as her song “God Must Be Doing Cocaine,” which expresses the feeling of being one person in a big, chaotic world where it seems like nothing makes sense. In a much more serious ballad, titled “Everybody Loves You,” Charlotte discusses the feeling of having been sexually assaulted by someone of whom the rest of the world holds a high opinion, which, unfortunately, is relatable to many women of this generation. Between her modern sound and her honest and relatable lyrics, Charlotte Lawrence’s name should definitely be one on your playlists.
- Donna Missal
Donna Missal’s music is definitely for those Swifties who live for the soul and sapphic undertones, as well as those who love the bad-girl energy of Taylor’s 1989 and reputation. Donna Missal is a little more on the indie rock side of music genres in comparison to these other four artists, but almost anyone can connect to her vulnerable lyrics, and her emotive mezzo-soprano belt is one that draws every listener in. Whether it’s her cry-worthy breakup anthem You Burned Me, her sexy songs from her first studio album This Time, or her regret-laden power ballads from her album Lighter, Donna’s songs are all perfect for any Swiftie who loves to drive around with the windows down, belting every word to the wind.
At this point, Taylor Swift is probably the biggest name in music, so it’s a given that there are thousands of artists whom she has influenced or who share some of her styles. That said, it’s important to remember that as much as these artists have a lot in common with Taylor, they’re also their own special brand, and they’re just as deserving of respect. Being “reminiscent” of Taylor doesn’t make them “the next Taylor” or “a Walmart Taylor”- it just indicates how they’ve drawn inspiration from her in order to create the best music they can. Overall, these five women are definitely worth the listen, and they definitely deserve more hype.