Margaret Glaspy is all about keeping it real. The Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter’s third and latest album Echo the Diamond was written to capture a gutsy “this is my life, take it or leave it” point of view. The result is a collection of saucy songs that make absolutely no apologies. A thinking fan’s pop star, Glaspy alternates between full-on rockers, pointed examinations of modern life, and searing feminist manifestos, all delivered with a confidence that is both vulnerable and confrontational. “I love music with a big element of risk to it, which was really the heartbeat of this album,” she says, also explaining that the title of the album refers to “shining bright” and “being brilliant,” reflecting the best version of a diamond she can be.

That bright brilliance translates to Glaspy’s dynamic live performances, which amplify her energy and musicality. Glaspy’s own stinging guitar style complements the energy of her biting lyrics and sharp-witted storytelling, as does her back-up band, which usually includes her partner/co-producer jazz guitarist Julian Lage. Her risk-taking, rawness and realness make Glaspy irresistibly relatable, but her propensity to rock out and write an anthemic hook is what gives her songs the power to truly hit audiences in the heart.

— Elizabeth Chorney-Booth