13 Songs Your Fall Playlist Desperately Needs

If your fall playlist needs a little sprucing up, look no further: I've compiled a bunch of great new songs by female artists who are killing the game right now. Why only female artists? Well, because women are often underrepresented in popular music! (I've been a pop music fan for as long as I can remember, and I've always been drawn to female artists more so than male artists, so sometimes I forget just how uneven the industry is — but believe me, it's uneven.) For example, on the current Billboard Hot 100 chart — which ranks the top 100 songs in the United States based on radio airplay, streaming data, and sales data — there are only three songs by women inside the top 20. Three out of 20? Are you kidding me? This is embarrassing.

There are so many wonderfully talented female artists who aren't getting the attention they deserve. How do we fix that? By highlighting them, of course! By spreading the word about their music far and wide (and by showing them a little love on iTunes, Spotify, and/or Apple Music). If you dig the 13 tracks below, I urge you to support these women. It's the only way things are going to change.

Alessia Cara — "Here"

Keep an eye on 19-year-old Alessia Cara. Her soulful debut single, "Here," has already caught the attention of famous acts like Taylor Swift, Lorde, and Drake. Pretty impressive, right? The Canadian newcomer's five-track EP, Four Pink Walls, is available everywhere now, and Billboard reports that her first full-length project is scheduled to be released sometime this fall.

Ellie Goulding — "Something In The Way You Move"

If Ellie Goulding's current single, "On My Mind," doesn't do it for you, be sure to check out her just-released promotional track, "Something In the Way You Move." The effervescent tune appears on the 28-year-old British singer's upcoming new album, Delirium (due out Nov. 6).

Little Mix — "Love Me Like You"

I love British band Little Mix because they don't care about following musical trends. A doo-wop-ish pop song inspired by the classic "girl groups" of the '50s and '60s? Why not! They're up for anything, and more often than not, their risks pay off. Case in point, "Love Me Like You" is irresistible.

Tinashe — "Player"

With its hard-hitting beat and infectious chorus, "Player," should be Tinashe's first major hit. Hopefully, the general public won't sleep on it. The 22-year-old singer is too talented to fly under the radar.

Tove Lo — "Moments"

Tove Lo's latest single, "Moments," has everything we've come to expect from the Swedish star: an atmospheric instrumental, a catchy chorus, and a ton of seriously memorable lyrics. In other words, it's awesome.

Demi Lovato — "Confident"

Demi Lovato's new track, "Confident," sounds a lot like a Britney Spears record from the early '00s to me, so I'm not exactly sure why it hasn't taken over the airwaves yet. "What's wrong with being confident?" the 23-year-old singer asks on the tune's super-charged chorus. Absolutely nothing! (Obviously.)

Jess Glynne — "Hold My Hand"

I have yet to meet someone who doesn't love Jess Glynne's voice. (She's the voice you hear on Clean Bandit's 2014 hit, "Rather Be.") I desperately want the British diva's latest solo release, "Hold My Hand," to blow up big. More people need to experience her brilliance!

Selena Gomez — "Hands To Myself"

OK, OK, Selena Gomez's "Good For You" is currently sitting at No. 10 on the Hot 100, so she's not exactly hurting for attention at the moment — but there's still a perception out there that she's somehow not a "real" musician (which is ridiculous). News flash: You don't need to sing like Mariah Carey or write 100-percent of your own songs in order to be a musician. Fortunately, I have a feeling tracks like "Hands to Myself" from the young star's new album, Revival , are going to cause some haters to change their tune.

Rachel Platten — "Stand By You"

Rachel Platten's new single, "Stand By You," serves as the follow-up to her breakout hit, "Fight Song." It doesn't exactly "break the mold," but it'll definitely make you feel good!

Melanie Martinez — "Soap"

Melanie Martinez is another new artist to keep an eye on. "Soap" is my favorite track on the former The Voice contestant's delightfully weird Cry Baby LP.

Elle King — "Ex's & Oh's"

Elle King's "Ex's & Oh's" has already reached No. 20 on the Hot 100 — and I hope it continues to climb higher and higher. It's a major "Song of the Fall" contender.

Molly Sandén — "Satellites"

Like Tove Lo, Molly Sandén hails from Sweden. I can't get enough of her new Like No One's Watching EP; "Satellites" is pop perfection! (You definitely need to check out the EP's title track, as well.)

Tori Kelly — "Expensive" (Feat. Daye Jack)

"Expensive" is arguably the best song on Tori Kelly's debut album, Unbreakable Smile . She's proven time and time again that she's an incredible live performer, but the singles she's put out so far — "Nobody Love" and "Should've Been Us" — haven't resonated with the general public. I wonder if releasing "Expensive" would change her luck...

Image: RCA Records/iTunes