There’s a glut of edgy female rock singer/songwriters in music today. If the sub-genre “Edgy Female Rock Singer/Songwriter” were a monarchy, Patti Smith would be the queen, and PJ Harvey and Liz Phair would be the princesses. The next generation to follow is chockablock with young women vying for the throne, and Speedy Ortiz here at #29 won’t be the last of them to appear on this year’s Top 31.

Sadie Dupuis started Speedy Ortiz as a solo project in the early 10s, but the name has grown to cover a full band, and Twerp Verse is their third release. The guitar-heavy album is grating yet rewarding, with Dupuis’ often dark, poetic lyrics always at the fore. It’s no wonder the lyrics aren’t bright and happy (despite the upbeat sound) — Dupuis picked up her nom de plume from a character in the seminal 80s comic book series Love and Rockets, in which Eulalio “Speedy” Ortiz, the brother of one of the main characters, suffers an untimely death, most likely suicidal.

Twerp Verse cycles through the many pains of life in America in your late 20s. Sexuality, relationships, pain and suffering. Dupuis’ lyrics are unpredictable and enticing, don’t skimp on listening to the words she’s singing. Speedy Ortiz also have a penchant for good music videos; in addition to the Lucky 88 above, be sure to check out “Villain” and “Lean in When I Suffer”.

Hopefully you like what you hear on this album, as there are a few more similar yet different takes on this sound yet to come in the 2018 Top 31.

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30. Remain in Light by Angélique Kidjo
31. This One’s for the Dancer & This One’s for the Dancer’s Bouquet by Moonface

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