Last year did, however, wind down with a big No. 1 radio hit for Maddie & Tae and two high-profile GRAMMY nominations for Clark, so we take that as a good sign for things to come. And with additional new female artists continuing to gather attention for their songs, we can already tell that 2015 is setting up to be strong year for women in country music.

Below we've picked out some new female country artists that we feel have both the talent and the potential to break out this year and provide fans with new songs and a fresh point of view. Listen to their music below, then if you like what you hear, put them on your playlist and request their songs at your local radio stations.

Here's hoping that 2015 will be the year the ladies take back the radio from the bros. 1. Kelleigh Bannen: Kelleigh Bannen's latest single "Smoke When I Drink" hits the listener at full force from the very first guitar lick. When her smooth vocals enter, the song picks up steam as she sings of taking a shot to calm her nerves just in case she runs into her ex at the bar. "Baby you're a cigarette straight to my head/ I'm high as a kite while I'm saying I only smoke when I drink," she sings as her former flame walks on over. Bannen's growl on the chorus further compliments the edginess of the song.

"It's really fun to get to share music in a way that lets us connect with the fan and that's what we hope to do with 'Smoke When I Drink,'" she said in a behind-the-scenes video. "Just give them something until the EP comes out, until the album comes out, one more thing for them to connect with us over."

The gritty track turns the boys on their heads because, hey, girls smoke and drink, too. The way Bannen delivers is catchy, and if you doubt us, try to listen to the song and not have the chorus stuck in your head. If you're hooked, check out her previous singles "Sorry On the Rocks" and "Famous."

2. Caitlyn Smith: Caitlyn Smith cut her teeth writing songs for everyone from Garth Brooks and Kenny Rogers to Lady Antebellum and Jason Aldean. Now, it's her time for the spotlight. And rightfully so. Her latest EP, Everything To You, showcases her vivid storytelling and powerhouse singing. Whether it's the nostalgic "Dream Away," edgy "Grown Woman" or her own rendition of "Wasting All These Tears"--the platinum hit she wrote for Cassadee Pope--Smith is a radio sensation waiting to happen.

"There is always a song in something, somewhere," Smith recently told Radio.com. "You just have to open your eyes a little bit."

3. Michaela Anne: Michaela Anne is well-known in the Brooklyn alt-country music scene and has opened up for acts like Brandy Clark, Steel Magnolias and country-punk powerhouse Lydia Loveless. On top of that, her excellent 2014 release Ease My Mind separates her from the pack. Whispered vocals are sung over wavering banjo, harmonica and pedal steel, making for the most traditional-sounding country record we've heard in a while. Tracks like the yearning "Black and Gray" strike an emotional chord, while title track "Ease My Mind" showcases her fun side.