“God can’t save lesbians… but Towa Bird can!”
With that instantly iconic billboard for her new album American Hero, Towa Bird cemented this as the summer of the sapphic star. Between Chappell Roan’s meteoric rise, Reneé Rapp’s nationwide tour, and new tracks from Raveena, Dua Saleh, and more, we are truly living in something of a sonic gay golden age. And Bird more than deserves her spot on a new Mount Rushmore of lesbian rockers.
Dubbed “Gen Z’s Joan Jett” by no less a tastemaker than Vogue, the curly-haired guitar-shredding legend has the chops to back up the effusive praise heaped on her. She stands out amid an array of musicians who emerged from TikTok thanks to her ineffable authenticity, which has proved to be just as charming on her debut album as it was online while she was getting her start playing guitar in viral clips.
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Beginning in spring 2023, Bird began dropping powerhouse single after powerhouse single, six in total. By the time American Hero came out at the tail end of Pride Month, I was already familiar with nearly half of the LP because I had been devouring each new release during the run-up. But I was curious to see what the other half of the album had in store for me, and I’m happy to report that American Hero doesn’t disappoint: there’s not a flop to be found on the record.
The 24-year old musician handily proves she has the range to sustain a long career, with gliding guitar solos that weave through pop-punk anthems and heartfelt rock ballads alike. Though the entire album is a slay, the ranking below — ordered from “rocks least hard but still slaps” to “rocks the hardest” — is more about the tracks that really harness Bird’s raw rock-and-roll energy to its fullest effect.
From the rowdy guitar on her hit single “Drain Me!” to the arena-rock ballads that pepper the album, check out my full breakdown below as you listen to your new favorite lesbian rocker.
“A Party”
Like last call at a bar, this folky acoustic track is a perfect way to close out American Hero. Bird’s vulnerable vocals shine as she sings about boozy nights out with a new lover.
“This Isn’t Me”
The twinkling piano that opens this melancholy power ballad pairs well with Bird’s guitar scratches. Does it rock the hardest on the album? No, but we’ll get there by the end of this list; and the more muted quality serves the song thematically, with Bird singing about feeling out of place among the rich and famous.
“May Flower”
I, for one, love the softer side of Towa Bird’s music, and “May Flower” is a perfect dream pop track about how love can make even the most confident among us lose our grip. I highly recommend listening to this one while crying in the shower.
“Sorry Sorry”
The full-on love ballad might not go as hard her irreverent anthems, but lines like “tears and tequila made the secrets come out” prove that Bird is a rock star even when she’s singing about heartbreak.
“Last Dance”
Swapping the pop-punk beats for a more mid-tempo rock energy, “Last Dance” showcases Bird’s full songwriting range. Though markedly more of a head-bobber than a headbanger, the mellow vibe doesn’t subtract from Bird’s passionate vocal delivery.
“FML”
The album opener has a fun stop-and-go rhythm with a dreamy vocal melody, featuring one of Bird’s most emotionally driven guitar solos to date. She also references the cult-favorite film Jennifer’s Body, so we know she’s got impeccable taste.
“Ew”
The sassy track about how gross love can be finds Bird at her most riot grrrl. A modern take on the stylings of Kathleen Hanna and company, the song’s chorus gives off serious Le Tigre energy.
“B.I.L.L.S.”
This anticapitalist anthem has Bird fully in her Joan Jett bag. It’s glam, it’s angry, it’s absolutely perfect.
“Deep Cut”
One of the highlights of American Hero, “Deep Cut” has breezy ’90s-tinged vibes that would make perfect fodder for a CW teen drama theme song.
“Drain Me!”
With over five million plays to date on Spotify, “Drain Me!” is clearly a fan favorite. The hit single shows off what Bird does best: pairing sugary sweet vocal melodies with wildly raucous guitar.
“Wild Heart”
On “Wild Heart,” Bird pairs the high-energy style of pop-rock masters Phoenix with her own uniquely cutting guitar. The fast-paced track soars the highest when Bird shows off her solo skills à la Eddie Van Halen.
“Boomerang”
The undeniably peppy track is rife with riffs and truly rocks the hardest of them all. Bird seems to cram a wild solo or quirky guitar line into every corner of the track, at times playing at breakneck speed, which is fitting for a song about separation anxiety.
American Hero is available now via Interscope.
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