As March unfolds, the music industry is gearing up for various highly anticipated album releases. Among these new releases, several of them are female artists. During Women’s History Month, celebrating the success of notable female artists could not be more perfect and important.
On Mar. 1, Faye Wester released her fifth studio album, “Underdressed at the Symphony.”
Webster, the singer-songwriter hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, channels laid-back acoustic moments of intimacy, sometimes leaving her band to play and having listeners swaying or in silence for meaningful introspection. Webster continues to add to her elusive charm in this new LP, integrating a collaboration with rapper Lil Yachty. The two have been friends since middle school and have often been seen in the public spotlight together. The track “Lego Ring” is grounded on innate whimsicality; a continuous rock beat continues to grow in eccentricity in the background of Webster’s soft-spoken vocals and Lil Yatchy’s drum beats. The artist finds meaningful messaging in everyday occurrences and uses her album to extraordinarily focus on the mundane.
Also joining the lineup is Ariana Grande, who is set to release her first album in over three years. Grande, who has been relatively absent from the music scene, has been taking time to recharge and focusing on her role of Glinda in the upcoming film “Wicked,” released later this November. On Mar. 8, Grande will release her seventh studio album entitled “Eternal Sunshine.” “I did not plan to [release music]. I didn’t have the goal to make an album, I actually was really opposed to coming out with music until after ‘Wicked,’” the singer said in a recent interview with Zach Sang. It wasn’t until the SAG-AFRA strike of 2023 that Grande was encouraged to return to Jungle City Recording Studios in New York City to give things a try again. Grande spent most of her time in the studio with Max Martin, a songwriter and record producer who has assisted in the production of several of her hits including “Dangerous Woman” and “No Tears Left To Cry.”
“I think my relationship to music has changed and healed a lot through taking space from it,” Grande added in the interview. Earlier this January, Grande released the single that announced her return to the pop scene, “yes, and.” This pop-synth track encourages the artist’s aggressive commenters to stop scrutinizing her personal life. For the 30-year-old, this sentiment reigns true more than ever and her fans and music aficionados alike are excited for her upcoming prospects.
Mar. 15 will welcome the arrival of “Deeper Well,” Kacey Musgraves’ sixth album that some speculate will mark the return to her country roots. The Texas native has recently collaborated with Zach Bryan and Noah Kahan, both within the realm of folk/country that she has showcased through her honeyed voice and eclectic lyricism of the past. The title track and lead single “Deeper Well” was released on Feb. 8 and features eloquent descriptions of Musgraves’ yearning to strive for serenity within herself, relinquishing all vices and individuals that no longer serve her. The music video, directed by Hannah Lux Davis, features the singer within nature reserves in picturesque Iceland—a vibe Musgraves will seemingly continue cultivating throughout her LP.
It would be completely remiss to discuss the most anticipated albums without discussing Beyoncé. Taking stadiums by storm in her 2023 Renaissance Tour, the singer captivated thousands with her exquisite vocals and mesmerizing discography. Despite this, Beyoncé is rumored to be taking a step back from such extravagance in her newly announced album “Act II,” set to be released Mar. 29. Her two latest Western singles reveal the singer’s penchant and talent for acoustic country.
2024 is proving to be a promising year for music thus far and will continue to foster the musical innovation of female artists in the following months. Some additional anticipated releases are albums by Taylor Swift, Lizzy McAlpine, and St. Vincent coming in April. While March increases the visibility and circulation of female artistry, it is imperative to recognize such accomplishments year-round.
