Every college girl goes through stints of girl power and wanting to feel empowered (these stints are usually preceded by break-ups, loneliness or the general frustrations of being single). I found myself going through one such stint myself last week and rather than watching Steel Magnolias with a pint of Haagen Dazs, I took to listening to some chick music. As I shuffled through my iTunes, I realized I didn’t really have much of a selection to choose from so I went on a rampage and stumbled upon some really great chick rock primarily hailing from the UK - here's a list of 4 Up and Coming UK female artists.

1. First on the list is Adele. The 19 year-old English native has gained exploding popularity in the UK and is well on her way to doing the same in the US. After releasing her first album, Hometown Glory, Adele's single topped UK charts and even wriggled its way into the latest American hospital TV show, Grey's Anatomy. Be on the look-out for more of this sultry singer popping up in American radio. 

2. Estelle, originally a West London girl, has broken in the US. The proof? She's been featured in Kanye West's latest hit, American Boy. This English bombshell is making deals left and right as she is set to collaborate with artists like John Legend, Will.i.am and Wyclef Jean. There's no doubt that she's successfully made the crossover from the UK to the US.

3. Amy MacDonald, the singer/songwriter teen sensation is my third pick. This indie rock Glasgow gal is keeping a cool, steady position on UK radio play lists with her single, Mr. Rock and Roll but if you ask me, her real gem is This Is The Life. Judging by her website's vibe, it seems that singer will be sticking around London rather than packing up and moving to LA. 

4. Saving the best for last, my final selection is Duffy. After hearing so much talk about this London-based singer, I downloaded some of her music and I was instantly hooked. The "New and Improved Amy Winehouse," as she has been dubbed, released her debut record Rockferry in March and since then, her record was among the firsts to sell a million copies in 2008. Her raspy, retro-inspired vocals kept her first single Mercy on the tippy top of UK charts for five consecutive weeks. Since then, Duffy has released her second single, Warwick Avenue, which is also chart topping and sneaking its way into US charts and radio stations. 

So to infuse those girl power days, stop swallowing Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill and move on to the UK's underdog ladies I've mentioned above.