Here Come the Girls

“I’ve forgotten all of young love’s joy/ Feel like a lady, and you my lady boy.” Amy Winehouse, ‘Stronger Than Me’, 2003

The new millennium has seen an ever-increasing female presence in British music. Not since the 1960s have the charts been so packed with female singers - artists who have emerged from all walks of life, often passing through the BRIT School or talent contests such as The X Factor.

Taking inspiration from vintage jazz and soul, Amy Winehouse broke through in 2003 with her debut album Frank. Her follow-up, the critically acclaimed Back To Black, opened up the not only the domestic market for other British females, but also the American market. Like Amy Winehouse, the influence of jazz and soul has also filtered into the music of Duffy and Adele, who both reached the Top 10 in 2008.

The charts have also seen renewed interest in and diversity in musical styles, with artists capturing the essence of 21st century Britain in individual and unique ways. From the observational lyrics of Kate Nash and the eclecticism of Estelle to the ethereal, dreamlike quality of Bat For Lashes, this new wave of British female artists continue to break down the barriers and reshape the music industry.

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