While not strictly limited to folk artists, the folk style has firm roots in music that came out of the 20th century from singer-songwriters working in folk scenes and elsewhere. Over the years, the folk genre, like all genres, has shapeshifted to include alternative sounds in rock, R&B, electronic, and more. Trademarks may be hard to pinpoint at times, but the personal narratives within the lyrics are central in many of the albums and singles that come out of the genre. The same is true for these songs, all of which capture singer-songwriters bearing their souls, whether through creative POVs or simply taking directly from their memories.

This feature was written by David Sosa, Sandra B. Olinger, and Steven Ward.

Adrianne Lenker “No Machine”

Although she is best known as the lead singer of Big Thief, Adrianne Lenker’s solo material suddenly blew up over the past year or so thanks to the advent of “anything” and other tracks off songs getting popular on TikTok. So when her latest album, Bright Future, dropped in the first half of the year, complete with unsurprisingly stellar songs such as “No Machine.” Employing a stripped-back guitar, Lenker paints vivid pictures depicting nature through her lyrics, including “The sun that’s shining lighter than a feather” and “The wind across my back, I feel the shiver.”

Like many Big Thief and Lenker tracks before, the vocals steal the show, coming to an apex during the chorus when Lenker drags out the you in “Don’t know where I’d go without you.” Those moments are the kind that makes Lenker such a captivating vocalist, drawing you into narratives that can easily shatter you into a million pieces or soothe the soul.

Britti “Lullaby”

Britti delivers an intimate and electrifying debut with the release of her stellar new record Hello, I’m Britti. As far as first introductions go, the album coalesces around the singer/songwriter’s reckonings with heartache, doubt, and the vibrant resilience of her dreams. Even the atmospheric slow-burner “Lullaby,” with its shuddering rhythms and ethereal guitar whines, sweeps you away with its momentous vision of love. These are the moments where Britti branches out entirely, revealing the rousing spirit that burns fiercely within her music regardless of genre or style.

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Clairo “Second Nature”

Clairo is perhaps the leading songwriter of her generation, quickly gaining more prominence than her bedroom pop peers within seven years while taking inspiration from generations’ worth of music. On “Second Nature” off Charm, her newfound affinity for the 60s and 70s era of singer-songwriters takes her to new heights in what might be her most romantic song to date.

The combination of percussion, drums, organs, and other instruments slide into place about as smoothly as Clairo’s melodies, particularly the “Da-da-da-da” one that opens up “Second Nature.” However, as astounding as the instrumentation is, especially the mellotron at the end, the chorus remains the main draw, with Clairo singing, “And once you get in my ear / I see kismet sinking in.”

Jessica Pratt “Get Your Head Out”

Jessica Pratt—with such a distinctive singing voice, one could distinguish it in a bustling crowd—commands her tracks and is always the driving force behind their emotionality. The same is true for “Get Your Head Out,” a spacey flash from the past guided by Pratt’s shapeshifting soprano. Apart from the retro mixing that makes every instrument sound as though they were being transmitted directly to the listeners’ ears, the vocals ebb and flow through styles, taking the form of a 50s big band leader or a 70s freighthopping singer-songwriter. Despite the short runtime, Pratt is able to bring genres throughout the decades and tie it all together in a love tale of cosmic proportions.

The Lemon Twigs “My Golden Years”

Less than a year after their last album, Everything Harmony, brothers and singer-songwriters The Lemon Twigs began preparing to release their equally beautiful follow-up, A Dream Is All We Know, with “My Golden Years.” With a persistent sense of melancholy carried over from the previous material, the duo hides their fear of their best years being behind them underneath sunny production that says otherwise.

From the start, the drums that kick the track off establish an upbeat attitude, contrasting existential questions such as “How can I try and push down my fears?” and “What could have been if I stood up tall and tried,” which never clash against the music. The ending “shine” melody that closes “My Golden Years” is the cherry on top of a single that contains the best aspects of The Lemon Twigs while continuing an impressive two-album run that shows no signs of stopping.

MJ Lenderman “You Don’t Know The Shape I’m In”

Centered around an acoustic guitar and reverb littered throughout the track, MJ Lenderman’s “You Don’t Know The Shape I’m In” is the type of song that dissects the heart with careful precision rather than shattering it in one go. In a crossbreed between country and soft rock, Lenderman opens the gently crushing song with the line, “Some say distance grows the heart / But I know sometimes we just drift apart.” What follows is an ultra-specific recount of a moment in his life at a water park on a Sunday beneath a McDonald’s flag.

Those details boost the underlying pain in Lenderman’s voice as he sings about a certain type of isolation brought on by someone who doesn’t know how to help. While “You Don’t Know The Shape I’m In” is gentle in its presentation, the brutal truths at its core leave a lasting impression, connecting through the universal fear of being unseen.

Mustafa “Name of God”

Between the release of Sudanese-Canadian poet/artist Mustafa’s debut album, When Smoke Rises, in 2021 and his latest album, Dunya, the world has changed in ways that have made activism within music more pertinent. However, his unflinching ability to confront potentially unsettling topics head-on has only strengthened during those three years.

Never one to shy away from subject matter like death, Mustafa once again takes himself to places that, although challenging, help confront harsh realities and traumas. From the start, opener “Name of God” speaks to many of the album’s themes, whether it be Mustafa’s struggles with faith or the passing of his late brother last year. And in spite of the harrowing experiences the song covers, the guitar and subtle electronic flourishes in the background carry his highly emotional vocals, almost as if helping him endure the pain he bravely bears for listeners.

Sharaya Summers “I Gave You Everything”

The former Angeleno, now settled back in Oregon, where she creates her soothing “mom rock,” seriously has the voice of an angel. And on the heartfelt “I Gave Everything,” she bares her soul on this gorgeous country-folk melody; think Stevie Nicks with a bit of Bat For Lashes. The song is part of Sharaya Summers‘ eight-track new album, Forever You & Me, which features a lot of country twang, spaghetti western vibes, and that sweet, sweet mom-rock. The entire album is a warm listen full of personal storytelling, with “I Gave Everything” beautifully tugging at those heartstrings.

Tasha “Love’s Changing”

Striking a subtle and warm tone through her music, Chicago-based singer-songwriter Tasha seems to find words to describe the feelings and emotions that don’t quite have a name for themselves, but we feel deeply nonetheless. Relaying moments beyond words, she pairs her lyrics with soft and rumbling instrumentals to capture delicate and fleeting sentiments. And that is the exact vibe heard and felt on “Love’s Changing.”

What starts as a light and breezy folk-pop ballad takes a suspenseful turn about halfway through the song as Tasha’s vocals change from a saccharine tone to a more dramatic one. But those sweet-as-honey vocals return at the end, letting you know everything will be alright. The song is a soothing yet highly infectious listen.

ZOLA “Someday“

The lifeblood of Maple, ZOLA’s debut album, lies in its lilting acoustic folk, sometimes just a tangle of heartstring-tugging instrumentals. However, ZOLA’s sound is 100 percent fluid. That is the case with “Someday,” a radiant and buoyant song that can also be considered alt-pop and/or indie rock. The softness of her words feels like a warm hug as she sings, “Someday, I wanna know you.” With both gentle guitar strings and a bit of jangle, the heartwarming message stays throughout the affectionate track.

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