Mother's Day: Moms Who Rock, Pt. 1

Mother's Day is fast approaching, leaving us precious little time to cobble together the perfect gift. Decorative soaps and bath bombs don't always cut it, nor do drug store slipper-and-perfume combination sets. So, we here at Victrola are asking you to step up your game. Maybe Mom wants a Music Edition Bluetooth Speaker, so she can take her tunes out to the patio or on her favorite hiking trail. Maybe she'd like a Victrola Stream Carbon or Onyx, so she can stream her vinyl collection throughout her home. This Mother's Day, we want to celebrate the moms who rock, so we decided to take a look at some of our favorite vinyl records by musician moms. 

Renaissance (2022) — Beyoncé 

You simply can't have a list of musical moms without Beyoncé. Mom to Blue Ivy and twins Rumi and Sir, Beyoncé has dominated the pop charts for the last two decades like no other. Renaissance is no exception, breaking new ground with her first solo studio album in six years. Whereas her prior release, Lemonade, was a concept album that melded multiple genres and carried a more somber tone, Renaissance takes a much more hopeful, celebratory tone. 

I'm Not Dead (2006) — P!nk

P!nk may have taken a couple of albums to really find her niche, but it was fully on display with her third release, I'm Not Dead. I'm Not Dead is a masterclass of pop rock, complete with boisterous vocal parts and loud, distorted guitars. P!nk, a mom of two, has never been shy with her rebellious rocker persona, right down to the pin-up inspired album art. I'm Not Dead provided the template for future releases, cementing P!nk's reputation as a pop rock icon. 

The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003) — Alicia Keys

While Songs in A Minor introduced us to Alicia Keys, her sophomore release, The Diary of Alicia Keys, was R&B perfection. Keys, a classically trained pianist, as well as a powerhouse singer, created a record bursting at the seams with classic soul and R&B influence, while standing on its own as an entirely original release. Most notable was Keys' growth as a songwriter, able to seamlessly blend together multiple genres to create a cohesive album. 

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998) — Lauryn Hill

By the time she released her acclaimed solo album, Lauryn Hill had come quite a long way from being booed at an Apollo Theater amateur night at age 12. Hill helped found the Fugees in the early '90s before deciding to record a solo album. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill remains the only solo record Hill ever recorded, but it instantly vaulted her to soul music superstardom. Hill packed nearly 80 minutes of music onto the album, blending hip-hop, R&B, jazz, and soul to create what is still considered a landmark record, the first predominately hip-hop album to win Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards. 

Pretenders (1979) — The Pretenders

Led by guitarist and vocalist Chrissy Hynde, the Pretenders burst onto the scene in the late '70s with their self-titled debut album. Dripping with punk rock attitude, Pretenders was an instant hit, and helped to popularize the burgeoning new wave genre. Hynde's gritty vocals and signature crunchy guitar laid the groundwork for the Pretenders to own the rest of the '80s. 

Humble Quest (2022) — Maren Morris

A major theme of Maren Morris' Humble Quest is the often less talked about side of new motherhood. Like many new moms, Morris suffered from post-partum depression, which she used to help her create her record. Distilling the pain she felt, along with personal loss and themes of isolation resulted in an album much rawer and more emotional than her previous releases. Through it all, Morris manages to maintain her signature twang, remaining at the top of the country charts. 

Dreamboat Annie (1975) — Heart

Dreamboat Annie was the debut album by Heart, led by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, containing hits like "Magic Man" and the band's signature song, "Crazy on You." Ann Wilson's vocal talents are unparalleled in rock, using her operatic ability to help Heart create their own unique sound, while Nancy achieved a reputation as one of the best guitarists of her era. Heart were pioneers, one of the first hard rock bands led by women that achieved commercial popularity and inspiring countless others. 

Invasion of Privacy (2018) — Cardi B

Cardi B's first album instantly vaulted her to the top of the hip-hop charts, with Invasion of Privacy becoming the first record by a solo female rapper to ever win the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. The album's lead single, "Bodak Yellow" has been certified diamond, while Cardi has become known for her political advocacy and eclectic fashion. A mom of two, Cardi has been writing and recording her second album for several years, giving fans something to look forward to in the hopefully near future. 

By the Way, I Forgive You (2018) — Brandi Carlile

Brandi Carlile is a masterful songwriter, able to tug at your heartstrings in one breath, while conjuring peaceful, pastoral imagery with the next. Carlile has helped to revive Americana, with her signature brand of Western-tinged folk. Mother of two with her wife Catherine, Carlile penned an emotional tribute to her daughter, Evangeline. Titled "The Mother", Carlile sings of the challenges of a same-sex couple having a child and the immense pride she feels for her daughter. 

Teenage Dream (2010) — Katy Perry

A mom to a daughter with partner Orlando Bloom, Katy Perry followed up her rock inspired sophomore record with Teenage Dream, a dance-pop masterpiece of the early 2010s. Teenage Dream contained hit after hit, becoming the first album by a female singer to ever have five number one singles. Songs like "Teenage Dream" and "California Gurls" have become staples at her impeccably produced live shows, while she showcases her immense vocal talent on tracks like "Firework."