Earlier this month, we celebrated some of the best women in our lives on Mother’s Day. Just a few days later, a controversial ban in Alabama affecting a sizable amount of women – and arguably all women in some form or another – made international headlines. Though these are two separate events, both renewed my sense of love, appreciation and faith in my fellow women. Our actions, the response, the outcry — there’s so many reasons to have and hold on to hope.
I’ve dabbled in the themes of female independence and self love in previous playlists, but I wanted to dedicate this month’s playlist to celebrating and championing unwavering girl power.
Scroll down to listen to the 25-track playlist on Spotify and preview some of my favourite empowering new releases.
“Cattitude” – Miley Cyrus feat. RuPaul
‘SHE IS COMING.’ Miley may have adopted a popular “Stan Twitter” catchphrase for her latest EP title, but ‘SHE IS COMING’ also has a bit of a deeper and timely meaning. The six-track EP – the first of three – is a bold and uncensored declaration of owning oneself – the present and past – and letting the world know you won’t go down unheard. “Cattitude” is the record’s buzzworthy lead, with a feature from RuPaul of RuPaul’s Drag Race. It also boasts already-viral lyrics like “I love you, Nicki, but I listen to Cardi.” Less scandalous but more so important is the line “Don’t worry ’bout me, go and get yourself a hobby.” AKA do you, boo – always.
“Glad He’s Gone” – Tove Lo
We all have a friend who comes to us with a boy (or girl) who’s just no good and, as much as we can offer advice, it’s sometimes a waiting game for that relationship to come to its natural end. When the day finally comes, this song represents the hallelujah moment. “Baby no tears for that sucker,” Tove Lo sings on this early summer breakup banger. We women deserve nothing but the best – even if it takes us a little longer (or through the summer, as the song suggests) to find it.
“Nightmare” – Halsey
Halsey’s latest single encapsulates much of this year’s political and social climate. Embracing the “angry woman” trope to its fullest extent, the alt-pop star makes it clear that she’s having none of it. “I’m tired and angry but somebody should be,” she sings. She also lays out the fact that “[n]o, I won’t smile but I’ll show you my teeth,” a possible reference to the idea and expectation that women should be passive, submissive and smiling. The power of this song lies in its ability to give a voice and platform to all women, and remind the world that we’d “rather be a real nightmare, than die unaware.”
What are your fave girl power songs? Share them with me in the comments below or tweet me @angelamcleanx!
