Tracy Chapman, Lisa Loeb, Jewel: for female singer-songwriters, the 90’s were La Belle Époque. Needless to say, there’s a tireless list of ladies and songs to suit every possible whim. Looking to blast the Bluetooth in your Subaru and test the highway’s speed limit?

No one does a good girl-power head-banger like Alanis Morissette. In the mood for a gritty, down-home foot-tapper? Tori Amos’s Artist Profile on Spotify is the way to go. But the reigning queen of Doc Martens, chokers, and depression has to be Fiona Apple, and her music remains unfailingly perfect to either pop open a bottle of cheap Bordeaux and cry about an ex (recommended: “Valentine”) or to listen to while getting ready to go out (the sexy and confident “Criminal”).

Am I making Apple out to be too estrogen drenched? Don’t be scared away, boys. Her songs are universally enjoyable, and her throaty voice and frequent use of the soulful upright bass can be enjoyed by anyone. In fact, the millennial “hookup culture” may find Apple’s music more relevant than any other generation has. Apple finds plenty of reasons to croon about disappointing, failed romances to which any of us can relate. Hits such as 1999’s “Paper Bag” are perfect to commiserate to, and is one of my personal favorites of Apple’s, as it shows off her dynamic songwriting. While the 90’s may have been the pinnacle of Apple and her fellow lady singers, she recently came out with a successful album in 2012, “The Idler Wheel Is Wiser than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More than Ropes Will Ever Do” (try saying that five times fast...classic Fiona).

Like another one of her albums, “When the Pawn...” (1999), it is named after one of Fiona’s poems. In an age where news pops up every day about pop singers stealing lyrics and faking creative integrity, you can’t help but admire Apple’s artistic prowess and individuality. Other people agree, including Lena Dunham, who used “Valentine” in Girls Season 3. Apple’s croons were devastatingly appropriate as a background to watch Adam relapse into alcoholism, followed by the infamously uncomfortable, rape-y sex scene with his new girlfriend.

Take a ride in the proverbial time machine (or, more appropriately perhaps a 1991 Chevy Caprice) and enjoy this selection of Apple’s best hits:

“Paper Bag”- 1996

“Criminal” - 1996

“Shadowboxer” - 1996

“Extraordinary Machine”- 2005

“Valentine” – 2012

“Every Single Night” – 2012