Best Folk

Justin Vernons debut as Bon Iver is the ultimate 'cabin in the woods' record. Recorded in isolation in Wisconsin, the album is a raw, haunting exploration of heartbreak and solitude. The falsetto voca...

Sufjan Stevens 2005 opus is a sprawling, maximalist exploration of the American Midwest. Combining banjo, synthesizers, choral arrangements, and intricate horn sections, 'Illinois' is a triumph of bar...

Bob Dylan's 1962 debut introduced a new voice to the folk music scene. Featuring primarily covers of traditional folk songs and blues standards, it showcased Dylan's raw talent as a singer and harmoni...

Tommy Emmanuel is a world-renowned acoustic guitarist known for his virtuosic fingerstyle playing and storytelling through music. His performances blend folk, country, and world music, captivating aud...

This 1987 collaboration between three of the greatest voices in music history is a masterclass in vocal harmony and arrangement. The album blends country, bluegrass, and folk, showcasing the unique st...

Nick Drake's 'Pink Moon' is a hauntingly beautiful and profoundly melancholic acoustic album. Recorded entirely solo, with just Drake's voice and guitar, the album's intimacy is palpable. The sparse a...

The Lee Oskar Major Diatonic is famous for its modular design, which allows players to replace individual reed plates rather than the entire instrument. This makes it an incredibly cost-effective choi...

Blue is the definitive confessional singer-songwriter album. Joni Mitchells voice, combined with her unique guitar tunings and piano arrangements, creates an intimacy that feels like reading a private...

This 1972 triple album is a monumental achievement in roots music. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band invited legends of bluegrass and countryincluding Mother Maybelle Carter, Doc Watson, and Earl Scruggsto r...

Laura Marling's 'Once I Was an Eagle' represents a significant evolution in her songwriting, embracing a more expansive and atmospheric sound. The album features intricate fingerpicking patterns, evoc...

So Tonight That I Might See is a defining album for the dream pop aesthetic, blending elements of folk and alternative rock with a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere. Hope Sandovals distinctive vocals and the...

T Bone Burnett's soundtrack for O Brother, Where Art Thou? is a revival of American roots music. Featuring a collection of bluegrass, folk, and country songs performed by various artists, the soundtra...

Manu Chao's 1998 solo debut 'Clandestino' is a lo-fi, global-folk masterpiece. Recorded on a portable studio, the album has a raw, intimate feel that perfectly complements its themes of migration, ide...

Phil Elverums magnum opus under The Microphones moniker is a sonic journey through the Pacific Northwest. 'The Glow Pt. 2' is a fascinating blend of delicate acoustic folk and crushing, distorted nois...

Sufjan Stevens 'Javelin' is a deeply moving and emotionally resonant folk album that explores themes of loss, grief, and faith. The album features Stevens signature intricate instrumentation and heart...

Joanna Newsom's 'Ys' is a sprawling, ambitious folk opera featuring Newsom's distinctive harp playing and intricate, narrative lyrics. The albums complex arrangements, lush instrumentation, and fantas...

American IV: The Man Whom I Love, released in 2002, is a deeply personal and intimate double album from Johnny Cash. Primarily consisting of covers of songs written by other artists, it showcases Cash...

The Martin 000-15M is a cult classic for a reason. Constructed entirely from solid mahogany, it produces a warm, dark, and punchy tone that is perfect for blues, folk, and singer-songwriter styles. Th...

Keb' Mo' is the modern master of the acoustic blues. With a style that is clean, articulate, and deeply rooted in the Delta tradition, he has become a beloved figure for those who appreciate the story...

Gregory Alan Isakov's 'The Weatherman' is a captivating blend of folk, Americana, and atmospheric soundscapes. Isakov's distinctive vocals and poetic lyrics create a sense of longing and introspection...

Mychael Danna's score for 'The Good Dinosaur' is a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant work. Combining orchestral arrangements with folk instruments and vocal performances, Danna creates a so...

Vashti Bunyan's 'Just Another Diamond Day' is a rediscovered gem of British folk music. Originally recorded in 1970 but largely forgotten, the album has been praised for its ethereal beauty and dreaml...

Carole King's 'Tapestry,' released in 1971, is a landmark album in the singer-songwriter genre. Featuring iconic tracks like 'It's Too Late' and 'So Far Away,' the album showcases King's introspective...

*Clear Record* is a devastatingly honest and deeply personal album documenting Phil Elvrum's grief following the death of his daughter. Recorded in his home studio, the album's sparse instrumentation...

A profoundly moving and intimate album, *Carrie & Lowell* chronicles Stevens' grief and memories of his late mother. Stripped down to its acoustic core, the album's minimalist instrumentation and Stev...

A surprise release during the pandemic, 'Folklore' marked a significant shift in Taylor Swifts musical style, embracing a more indie-folk sound. Praised for its introspective lyrics, atmospheric prod...

The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, released in 1963, established Dylan as a voice of a generation. The albums politically charged lyrics and evocative storytelling addressed issues of civil rights, war, and...

Mount Eerie's 'Please Heaven' is a profoundly moving and devastating album documenting Phil Elvrum's grief following the death of his wife. The album's raw honesty, minimalist instrumentation, and unf...

Federico García Lorca was a central figure of the Generation of '27 and one of the most influential Spanish poets of the 20th century. His work blends traditional folk themes with surrealist imagery,...