Easy Listening: A Look at Relaxing Albums by Female Artists

Finding new music can feel overwhelming with so many choices. But that’s also the fun of discovering new tunes you get to listen to different styles and pick the ones you love. Recently, I decided to explore some calm and relaxing music, and I picked four albums with female singers from different genres that were released in 2024.

In this review, I’ll focus on three things: 1) My knowledge of the genre or artist; 2) how the album made me feel; and 3) the music itself, such as rhythm, lyrics, tone, and the instruments used. I’ll give each album a score out of 10 for these factors. Finally, I’ll compare perspectives from other music reviewers (some more credible than others) I randomly found online.

The Marias – Submarine

The Marías’ Submarine is a dreamy mix of indie pop and smooth jazzy vibes. They’re known for blending soft vocals with dense instrumentals, but this album was a bit different from the previous ones. Songs like “No one noticed” and “Sienna” have this hypnotic rhythm with gentle guitar and piano playing in the background making it slow and relaxing to listen to. Their mix of English and Spanish lyrics adds a unique, personal touch that makes the music feel both intimate and unique.

This album creates a peaceful, dreamlike atmosphere that’s both calming and emotional. Songs like “Real life” have soft, flowing melodies and layered harmonies that feel warm and nostalgic. The percussion is understated, giving the tracks a steady groove while letting the vocals and instruments take the spotlight.

According to music blog writer Kevin “Pigeon” Montes, “the weakest part of Submarine is its production. It’s ironic, considering their multilayered textures were what attracted me to their craft, specifically the blend of jazz and soul into more nuanced atmospheric pop compositions.”

Rating: 6/10

Come on, don’t leave me it can’t be that easy, babe – The Marias (No one noticed)

Laufey – Bewitched: The Goddess Edition

Laufey’s Bewitched: The Goddess Edition is a beautiful update to her original album called Bewitched, mixing classic jazz sounds with modern music. The instruments like strings, piano, and upright bass create a full sound that pulls you in. The new songs like “Goddess” and her cover of “It Could Happen To You” show off her talent for blending old jazz with personal and relatable lyrics. Every track feels thoughtfully and well made, with soft melodies and rhythms that highlights her smooth, unique voice.

The lyrics are meant to explore feelings of love, doubt, and growth. Songs like “Bored” and “Trouble” bring new energy to the album, adding some difference to the overall vibe. Laufey’s music got a perfect balance between jazz tradition and modern emotions, making this edition well listenable for both fans and anyone new to her style.

According to Lewisville (Texas) High School student newspaper, Farmer Harvest, writer Noah Jeon thinks that Laufey did a good job with “making a point and statement within her songs.” On the other hand, while “her lyrics seem serious and emotional on paper, she does a good job ‘hiding’ the lyrics in her relaxing jazzy melody.”

Rating: 9/10

You followed me out and said darling don’t leave.. – Laufey (Bored)

Clairo – Charm

Clairo’s recent album called Charm has a smooth, chill vibe with soft guitar, a piano, and light drums that make the music feel cozy and personal at the same time. The production is simple but clean, with each song carefully put together. The rhythms are slow and easy, and the melodies flow gently, which lets Clairo’s soft, breathy voice shine.

The lyrics are real and honest, talking about things like love, self-discovery, and mental health. The warm sound of the album gives it a timeless feel, while the little details in the background make each track interesting and special. Songs such as “Terrapin” and “Juna” are the songs that include some elements of jazz and relaxing music in her album. “Charm” mixes deep emotions with calm, soothing music, making it perfect for when you want to relax or reflect.

According to respected music news and review online magazine, Pitchfork, writer Marissa Lorusso wrote: “Rarely do these songs stray from [a] sophisticated palette. It suits her well, but it marks Charm as yet another successful but polite soft-rock outing, a format with somewhat diminishing returns.” Pitchfork rated the album overall 7.5 out of 10.

Rating: 7/10

You know me, you know me (ooh) – Clairo (Juna)

Beabadoobee – This Is How Tomorrow Moves

Beabadoobee’s This Is How Tomorrow Moves is a really good album if you like indie music with a mix of soft rock sounds, adding a dash of ‘90s alternative rock. In songs like “Take a Bite” the guitars are heavier, but her voice is light, which makes it feel balanced.

The album made me feel connected and thoughtful. In songs like “Girl Song,” the lyrics talk about feeling insecure about her looks and feeling not confident in herself. The tone of the album is calm but not boring at the same time and the music is well put together. There are soft parts with acoustic guitar and louder parts with electric guitar, which keeps it interesting. The rhythm is steady, and the small details, like how her voice sounds in the mix, make the songs feel carefully made.

According to Pitchfork writer Ashley Bardhan, the album’s “minimalist moments are its strongest. ‘California’ and ‘Post’ introduce clanging drum loops, recalling the sparse, twisted roots of a Tori Amos song like “Space Dog.” Pitchfork rated the album 7.4 out of 10.

Rating: 8/10

Would you hold it down and take it if I gave you a chance? – Beabadoobee (Real man)