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
- [Cool Female Vocals] The World’s Coolest Female Singers [2025]
- 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
- [Western Music] Female vocalists known for their beautiful voices
- Still Shining! Recommended Female Singers of 1980s Western Music
- Captivating female jazz singers who illuminate the history of jazz. Recommended jazz vocals from around the world.
- Foreign female singers' commercial songs: CM/commercial/popular song ranking [2025]
- [1970s] Recommended Nostalgic Western Music: Female Singers
- Beautiful high notes that feel so good! Classic Western songs where you can fully enjoy high-tone vocals.
- Introducing artists with whisper vocals
- Classic R&B songs recommended for women
For lovers of husky voices: Female singers in Western music (61–70)
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!
Put Your Records OnCorrine Bailey Rae
A singer-songwriter from Leeds, England, who shot to prominence among music fans after being ranked No.
1 in the BBC’s “Sounds of 2006.” Her second single, “Put Your Records On,” released in 2006, became a major hit, and her debut album of the same year, “Corinne Bailey Rae,” sold over four million copies not only in her home country but worldwide.
Her musical style is never flashy; it’s an organic neo-soul/R&B sound centered around the tones of acoustic guitar—perfect as background music that gently adds color to everyday life.
If you listen to her slightly husky, soft voice that never overstates itself, you’ll find yourself feeling calm.
Stand BackStevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks, a member of the legendary rock band Fleetwood Mac.
With her distinctive husky voice, she can master everything from hard-rock tracks to moving, tender ballads.
She has also been ranked among Rolling Stone magazine’s “100 Greatest Singers of All Time.”
No ScrubsT-Boz（TLC）
This mellow-voiced trio is the American R&B group TLC.
Their name, TLC, is said to be a play on the initials of the members’ names.
In 2002, member Left Eye passed away, and they have been performing as a duo since.
With a history of winning Grammy Awards, they’re definitely a recommended group when you’re in the mood for R&B featuring a wonderful husky vocal style.
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.
Lost On YouLP
LP is an American singer-songwriter who became internationally known after her 2015 release “Lost On You” became a massive worldwide hit.
Her voice is very husky and high, yet it carries an overall rugged, mature tone.
She is also an artist who has come out as a lesbian, and the way that aspect of her identity aligns with her vocal quality is one of her key appeals.