For lovers of husky voices: Female singers in Western music
From a slightly hoarse, smoky, soothing tone to a powerful voice that might make you think for a moment, “Is that a male vocalist?,” husky female vocals radiate a wide range of charms.
Many of my vocal training students admire husky voices as well.
This time, I’ve selected recommended works by female artists in Western music who showcase such captivating husky singing.
Some tracks are chosen from my perspective as a vocal producer, so I believe they’ll be helpful references for female singers with husky voices.
However!! No matter how wonderful a husky voice is, please never intentionally damage your own voice to get it, okay? I truly mean it—please be careful.
- [Western Music] A Recommendation of the Lady of Soul: Wonderful Female Soul Singers
- [Healing & Cool] Female Vocalists with Captivating Husky Voices
- [Cool Female Vocals] Badass Women Singers Around the World [2026]
- I Want to Be Healed from the Heart: Recommended Western Ballads Sung by Female Vocalists
- A male Western music vocal artist with an appealing husky voice
- Female Western music artists who are good singers
- Top 1980s Female Singer-Songwriters: Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- Ranking of Commercial Songs and Popular Hits by Western Female Singers [2026]
- [Western Music] Female vocalists known for their beautiful voices
- Still Shining! Recommended Female Singers of 1980s Western Music
- Female vocal songs where women with low voices can shine
- Captivating female jazz singers who illuminate the history of jazz. Recommended jazz vocals from around the world.
- [70s Western Music] Timeless Masterpieces and Popular Songs by Female Singers
For lovers of husky voices: Female singers in Western music (61–70)
MissingTracey Thorn（Everything But the Girl）
A smooth vocal riding over a lively beat creates a one-of-a-kind atmosphere.
This is “Missing” by the British band Everything but the Girl.
Everything but the Girl is a duo categorized in the subgenre known as neo-acoustic.
The husky, wistful vocals are a perfect match for the song’s downbeat mood.
If you like bands such as Radiohead or Portishead, this will definitely resonate with you!
Free MeSia
A female singer-songwriter from Australia who is also popular in Japan.
This work is a slow ballad featuring a beautiful, ear-pleasing ensemble of piano and strings.
Her husky, full-bodied voice makes it a piece perfectly suited for the end of the day.
Quelqu’un m’a ditCarla Bruni
Carla Bruni, the Italian fashion model and singer who now feels famous as the wife of French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Many may have first heard her name through gossip, but her music—armed with a whispery, languid yet sexy husky voice—is truly captivating.
Her 2002 debut album, “Quelqu’un M’a Dit,” is a masterpiece that blossomed with her talent as she transitioned from top model to singer-songwriter.
Despite her glamorous background, the songs, rooted in an acoustic sound, are filled with simple, comfortable melodies.
Set aside your preconceptions and give it a listen!
The House Of My FatherJoanna Dean (Bad Romance)
Joanna Dean is known for her husky, powerful singing voice.
If you’re into hard rock or metal, you might have heard her before.
She’s also known as a singer-songwriter and as a member of Bad Romance.
Her work often features lyrics that explore negative emotions and songs with a downbeat sound, so she’s recommended if you like that vibe.
How about starting with her first album, MISBEHAVIN’?
Поживи в моей шкуреАлла Пугачева
Alla Pugacheva is a Russian female singer known for her distinctive husky voice.
A veteran performer active since 1965, she kept releasing hit songs up until her retirement at age 60.
Her popularity was immense; including the Soviet era, her record sales are said to exceed 250 million.
Her singing voice is extremely powerful, and combined with that husky tone, she has a vibe similar to Japan’s Yuki Katsuragi.
