Playing a raw, powerful blend of blues and hip-hop, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist ZZ Ward took the tropes of roots music and gave them a makeover with an edgy, modern attitude. With a tough but flexible voice that boasts plenty of swagger, her music leans to the rock-oriented side of contemporary blues, but her production choices and arrangements are informed by hip-hop and contemporary R&B, and the mix gives her a style that sets her apart from her peers. Ward's eclectic sound found a significant audience with her first full-length album, 2012's Til the Casket Drops, while 2017's The Storm toned down the hip-hop feel and turned up the R&B.