Top ten female singers I’m listening to this month

1. Daisy Rickman – Howl
We saw 28-year-old Daisy at the Cornish Bank performing her new album Howl in its entirety before we’d even heard the album. Expecting a waif-like folk singer we were delighted to hear a thunderously deep-voiced Nico soundalike, backed by a band who could well have been the Velvet Underground (Rickman even did a Mo Tucker when she took over drums for a song). If the album – on which Daisy plays all the instruments – doesn’t have the same impact as seeing her live with a full rock band, it’s nevertheless a stunning sophomore effort. The multi-talented Rickman also paints and takes photos.

2. Linda Smith – Nothing Else Matters & I So Liked Spring
Two of Smith’s catchy mid-1990s lo-fi bedroom pop albums, originally only released on cassette, have now been rereleased on vinyl.

3. Dorothy Carter – Waillee Waillee
Carter’s wonderful 1978 privately-pressed LP was given a reissue last year on vinyl.

4. Julia Holter – Something in the Room She Moves
A new album by Holter gives me a good excuse to go through her back catalogue, including Ekstasis and Loud City Song.

5. Nico – The Marble Index and Desertshore
Talking of Nico… Of course I already own these two classics from 1968 and 1970 by the ex-Velvet Underground chanteuse, but their upcoming reissue on vinyl reminded me how vital – and unique – they are.

6. Adrianne Lenker – Bright Future
Lo-fi seems to be all the rage this month; Big Thief singer-songwriter Lenker’s solo album was recorded straight to tape and has an intimate, acoustic atmosphere.

7. Alice Coltrane – The Carnegie Hall Concert
First ever release of this 1971 concert also featuring Archie Shepp and Pharoah Sanders.

8. Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru – Souvenirs
Collection of 1970s and 80s performances from the Ethiopian pianist and nun.

9. Waxahatchee – Tigers Blood
Another slice of Americana from Katie Crutchfield.

10. Kim Gordon – The Collective
Second solo album from Sonic Youth’s guitarist and vocalist.