Dominated by Mitt Romney, a hurricane, and a national tragedy, 2012 will be remembered as a history-making year. But what was the soundtrack like? House music definitely roared back into the national consciousness, infiltrating popular culture much deeper than in the early 1990s—thank sexually-adventurous girls like Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, and Sia (the latter had two huge dance hits that carried over from 2011). But there were some other sounds—made by some of our favorite gay and bi ladies—that also resonated. Here is our list of girlie music to fill your stockings with, or simply give a spin on Spotify.
Meshell Ndegeocello: Meshell is a force alone (2011’s Weather is excellent), but paired with the High Priestess of Soul, she’s absolutely sublime. On Pour une ame Souveraine (“For a Foreign Soul”), Meshell takes on 14 of Nina Simone’s classics, including “Four Women” to “Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.” Even Sinead O’Connor lends her voice to “Don’t Take All Night."
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Rachael Sage: This bi singer/songwriter released Haunted by You this year, as well as an accompanying acoustic CD of Haunted songs. Sage’s Ani DiFranco-esque voice is a perfect accompaniment to warm cider, a plush chair, and a frosted window.
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Melissa Etheridge: Melissa has been quite prolific lately (ex-wife Tammy Lynn Michaels likely provides a lot of inspiration) and she released another album this year with 4th Street Feeling. Looking hot and determined on the album cover, Melissa stays on message through the 15-track collection of tough-girl blues. 4th Street Feeling will remind you why Melissa drives ladies crazy.
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AG: Adrianne Gonzales put together a powerful EP of Beatles covers this year. Her take on “I Want to Be Your Man” is wholly original and startlingly beautiful. AG also put out the 10-track collection “Me and You.” To read more about this gorgeous talent, click here for an exclusive interview.
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Gossip: Led by zaftig lesbian Beth Ditto, Gossip released the pop-friendly A Joyful Noise this year. We thought this would blow-up, and it deserves to, so do your part and download it now. Highlights include the sizzling single, “Perfect World,” and the uplifting “Move in the Right Direction.” Ditto also released a book this year, got married, and talked to Advocate about it all.
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Amanda Palmer: The bisexual firebrand released Theatre is Evil this year, thanks to a mammoth Kickstarter campaign. Assisted by the Grand Theft Orchestra, the album is loud and unforgettable. Palmer also starred in a wild video for her and the Flaming Lips’ cover of Roberta Flack’s “The First Time I Saw Your Face.” But as sexy and strange as that clip was, her video for “Do It With a Rockstar” (off of Theater is Evil) is even better—hilarious and wild, with drag queens, hipsters, and Palmer getting it on with a hot (female) redhead.
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Azealia Banks: With the epic, blistering single, “212,” Harlem-native Azealia Banks burst onto the 2012 music scene as the anti-Nicki Minaj. While the latter was quick to trade her hardscrabble mixtape rep for a spot on American Idol’s judging table (and a guest spot on a lame Madonna single), Banks would more likely blow her head off. Also, when Azealia says she’s bi, we believe her. But back to the music: Banks’s 1991 is only a four-song EP, but it’ll get your appetite whet for her forthcoming full album, Broke With Expensive Taste. Oh and did we mention the “212” video was viewed by nearly 40 million people?
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Hunter Valentine: It’s been a big year for Toronto natives and rockers Hunter Valentine. The band, comprised of out musicians Kyomi McCloskey, Laura Petracca and Vero, starred on the third season of Showtime’s The Real L Word with former bandmate Somer Bingham. With newcomer to the band Aimee Bessada, they released their kick ass album Collide and Conquer and launched a successful nationwide tour.
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