Even when we say someone is “a good singer,” that can mean many different things.
They might have astonishingly steady pitch, a superhuman vocal range, exquisite sense of rhythm, or a truly overwhelming voice.
This time, I’ve picked out female singers who are widely regarded as “great” from various angles like these, as well as female singers who, from my years of experience as a vocal producer and voice coach, make me think, “She’s outstanding!”
Of course, a singer’s appeal doesn’t necessarily lie only in technical skill.
But every now and then, isn’t it nice to listen with a focus on “skill”?
I hope this will be helpful for those who aspire to become singers as well.
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Female Japanese singers with great vocals / high singing ability (1–10)
Return to Myself ~ I won’t, I won’t, summer.Hamada Mari
Mari Hamada, who debuted through the so-called Japametal scene, took a major step into the mainstream with Return to Myself, introduced here.
The previous single, Heart and Soul, was used as NHK’s theme song for the Seoul Olympics, and this song became Kanebo’s summer campaign song in 1989—two major tie-ins in a row that helped her move beyond the metal-singer label and gain recognition on the major stage.
As for her vocals, while there’s a slight idiosyncrasy in her high-range delivery and diction, her range, power, pitch, and rhythm are all remarkably solid—surely the fruit of her experience from her heavy metal era.
These days, many singers considered technically excellent are influenced to some degree by Black music, and there are few who sing this “well” in such a straightforward, rock-oriented way.
For women aiming to be rock singers, she’s an artist well worth studying.
Summertime CinderellaNagay a Haruko (Ryokushoku Shakai)
Even when we say someone is “good at singing,” there are many different kinds of “good,” including a singer’s individuality and vocal timbre.
Among all those diverse strengths, I believe Haruko Nagai, the vocalist of Ryokuoushoku Shakai, is a truly classic, straight-down-the-middle talent.
That’s not to say she lacks individuality—far from it.
Whether it’s her powerful vocals, her gentle expressiveness, or her colorful high tones, every facet is compelling from all angles, making you want to root for her continued success and growth.
I also think this is one of the best songs for women aiming to become singers to use as practice material, so be sure to focus on the vocals and give it a deep listen!
Love SickAina ji Endo
Aina The End, known as a former member of BiSH.
Even during her idol days, she possessed a voice quality and singing ability that were hard to believe for an idol, and since going solo, she has refined her skills even further.
Her greatest charm is, without a doubt, her husky voice.
Not only does she use voice breaks effectively, but she also delivers vocals imbued with emotion, making her undeniably one of the top-tier female singers in contemporary Japanese music.
Call U Every NiteMICHICO
MICHICO is a towering Japanese legend known to every R&B aficionado.
She’s the finest artist in Japanese R&B, and the songs she creates hold their own against overseas R&B.
She’s also a singer with exceptionally strong vocal ability.
While her tone—perhaps owing to being Japanese—can lack a bit of thickness, her techniques like ad-libs and falls are among the best in the country.
Above all, her flow is breathtaking, delivering a rhythmic feel rarely found in Japanese music.
LIES GOES ONMay’n
Not only as a singer, but also as a voice actor and musical theater actress, May’n has been remarkably active.
The song featured here, “LIES GOES ON,” was released in August 2023 as her 21st single.
Even in this up-tempo track, you can fully enjoy her powerful and beautifully resonant high-tone voice.
Simply analyzing how she switches between various high registers throughout different sections of the song offers plenty to learn, making it a track I especially recommend that aspiring female singers give a listen to at least once.
Forbidden tale (BAND-MAID)SAIKI
When it comes to top-tier girl rock bands in today’s hard rock scene, BAND-MAID is undoubtedly a name that comes up.
In their early days, as a band that emphasized a strong concept, there were some rough edges here and there, but recently their performance and vocal skills have improved, and support for them within the scene has been growing.
SAIKI is the vocalist of BAND-MAID, and unusually for a rock singer, she’s adept at using vocal runs/ad-libs.
Perhaps because she’s not strong at shouts, she wanted to set the band apart through her use of vocal embellishments.
Girl rock bands often have their abilities questioned, but she can be said to be one of the artists who changed that conventional view.
HyperNova (m-flo loves Maya)maya
Maya, a young singer who suddenly drew widespread attention through her collaboration with m-flo.
Until then, she had virtually no public recognition, but the collaboration sparked a rapid rise, and she’s now being hailed by R&B aficionados as a promising newcomer who could lead the next wave of R&B.
Her biggest appeal is, above all, her airy, effortless vocal tone.
She has an exceptional flow, and even with that light, breathy delivery, she still conveys a solid sense of groove.
She’s also mastered advanced R&B techniques like riffs/runs and falls at a high level, so it’s impossible to take your eyes off what she does next.