While good music never goes out of style, trends may come and go. For 2017, there was a strong emphasis on female empowerment, which will hopefully prove to be a consistent staple in music. The following fabulous ladies shed a brighter light on how strong women should be represented in media content.

“New Rules” – Dua Lipa

Even if you aren’t a math whiz, Dua makes it pretty clear: do yourself a favor and don’t get back with an ex. The lyrics, “My love, he doesn’t love me so I tell myself”, followed by her list of rules as to how to break off the toxic connection, makes it clear that no matter how much you may love somebody, you have to love yourself enough to walk away when you don’t get priority reciprocated to you. Also, having a bunch of females around as Dua does in the music video, reminds us that we’re all in this together and our girls can get us through.

“Praying” – Kesha

Quite possibly the most powerful song to break onto the scene in a long time, “Praying” takes a situation that easily could’ve kept a person broken, but proves that only through forgiveness and a strong emotional/mental mindset allows you to one day rise above it. “I hope you’re soul is changing”, Kesha sings, reminding us not to sink down to the level of evil some people try to forever keep us at. “You said that I was done, well you were wrong and now the best is yet to come”, is the most uplifting lyric, saying to move forward with grace and peace in your heart, even though you’ll never be able to forget the endured pain of the past.

“Sorry Not Sorry” – Demi Lovato

Going one step further than Dua’s “New Rules”, Demi knows her worth and won’t lower herself for somebody that can’t reach her rightfully high expectations. With the lyrics, “feelin like a ten, the best I ever been”, and “ain’t too proud to beg, second chance you’ll never get”, Demi’s reinforcing the notion of being your best self for yourself and only accepting people who value you into your life. Above all, not being sorry for you or what you are is the biggest lesson we all need to remind ourselves of every now and again, in a society that tries to make us conform to other’s expectations.