whose singing voice do you love or hate?

[mjudge55]

I'm not sure I'll describe this accurately and I may out of date with this but... there is a style of female vocals that took over I want to say a decade ago where it has a quiet, sultry quality -- maybe Billie Eilish popularized it? -- but with an English (?) accent. Maybe it's supposed to communicate vulnerability or mystery. Like I don't have a problem with it in principle but it's just done to death and you hear it in bad TV shows and movies all the time.

What is the word for this?

Cute, whispery, breathy, coy, childish, slightly-slurring stuff?

Like Julia Michaels in "Issues"?


Or Ellie Goulding in "Burn"?


Or Haley Reinhart in "Can't Help Falling in Love"?


Or Elena Tonra in "Youth," by Daughter?



Or Dorothea Wessel in "Muddy Water"?

I listened to a couple of these and yes that's what I'm talking about -- thanks. I'm sure it's very dad-ish of me to bring up but I hope this style has fallen out of favor or is about to.

Who is responsible for this by the way? Not that I blame her but I did mention Billie Eilish -- is that the direct antecedent here?

[mjudge55]

I'm not sure I'll describe this accurately and I may out of date with this but... there is a style of female vocals that took over I want to say a decade ago where it has a quiet, sultry quality -- maybe Billie Eilish popularized it? -- but with an English (?) accent. Maybe it's supposed to communicate vulnerability or mystery. Like I don't have a problem with it in principle but it's just done to death and you hear it in bad TV shows and movies all the time.

What is the word for this?

I heard it called, 'constipated whispering' before.

There must be an actual name for this though, analogous to the aforementioned "yarl".

[bftucker]

Joan Armatrading

[VOODOO U]

I'm not sure I'll describe this accurately and I may out of date with this but... there is a style of female vocals that took over I want to say a decade ago where it has a quiet, sultry quality -- maybe Billie Eilish popularized it? -- but with an English (?) accent. Maybe it's supposed to communicate vulnerability or mystery. Like I don't have a problem with it in principle but it's just done to death and you hear it in bad TV shows and movies all the time.

What is the word for this?

I heard it called, 'constipated whispering' before.

There must be an actual name for this though, analogous to the aforementioned "yarl".

It's just adult alternative popularized after artists like Fiona Apple became "rock stars".
IMO they took IE Fiona's style and just dropped it back a notch on the vocals. It's super easy to do and voila six billion sheep followed along (as you say, done to death).
If there's a name for it, it's more than likely just a popularized urban name.
I guess it could also come across as wannabe jazz
singers who can't do what Diana Krall does.

[Dirtgrain]

H.E.R. featured on "Best Part" - Daneil Caesar



"Once Upon Another Time" - Sara Bareilles

[harryupbabble]

his singing voice must be worst

[harvon]

Jennifer Rush has a well trained strong voice and her live delivery equals that of her records. Respect.

[ghettosynth]

It's just adult alternative popularized after artists like Fiona Apple became "rock stars".
IMO they took IE Fiona's style and just dropped it back a notch on the vocals. It's super easy to do and voila six billion sheep followed along (as you say, done to death).
If there's a name for it, it's more than likely just a popularized urban name.
I guess it could also come across as wannabe jazz
singers who can't do what Diana Krall does.

Could we get some videos please?

[resynthesis]

Can't stick Phil Collins (or his singing). Trent Reznor will sometimes spit out a line or two that sounds just like him (IMO).

[Y3K]

For me, this is Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, I know her as vocalist for Silent Hill series soundtrack.
For me, her vocal parts are unique, because of emotions and expression she puts in them,
A mix of grief, relaxation and determination.

I guess, I may associate myself with her. It's something strange with my own voice, as if it didn't break, it's very high, so I try to copy her vocal style in my releases.

[VOODOO U]

It's just adult alternative popularized after artists like Fiona Apple became "rock stars".
IMO they took IE Fiona's style and just dropped it back a notch on the vocals. It's super easy to do and voila six billion sheep followed along (as you say, done to death).
If there's a name for it, it's more than likely just a popularized urban name.
I guess it could also come across as wannabe jazz
singers who can't do what Diana Krall does.

Could we get some videos please?

God no! I dont know the names of the artists because i don't care for that style of singing and im not gonna waste time looking for them.
If you start with Fiona (who I am a huge fan of), I'm sure youll bump into artists who sing in that mold mjudge55 is talking about.
In fact I still hear a lot of female.vocalists still singing in that vein. It really is done to death.
Maybe Regina Spektor has songs in that vein but it's just a guess.

[ghettosynth]

Stuff like this?

[VOODOO U]

Stuff like this?

Hmmmmmm.....yea i suppose Mazzy could fall in the category but they were out before the bombardment. I have this album and really love her voice.

[VOODOO U]

I just clicked on the first regina spektor song and yea, the vocals are in that vein

[mjudge55]

Stuff like this?

Interesting! See I actually think Mazzy Star is/was a solid band and Hope Sandoval a great singer - got to see them live once, seemed the real deal to me. Yet I wouldn't be surprised at all if the style of singing I lambasted earlier is directly or indirectly taking influence from her. Maybe some singing styles are like an elaborate dress that looks good on only one person or in one context. But that doesn't give Ms. Sandoval her due, I think she honed a better aesthetic than the crop of singers in the videos posted earlier. One thing I've learned in my music journey is often there's a thin line between good music and bad.