The 5 Best Indie Folk Albums of All Time

There’s something about indie folk music that just makes you feel good. Maybe it’s the simple, acoustic instrumentation. Maybe it’s the relatable, heartfelt lyrics. Or maybe it’s just the fact that indie folk artists seem to have their priorities straight – making great art rather than chasing fame and fortune.

Whatever the reason, there’s no denying that indie folk is one of the most consistently enjoyable genres of music out there. And while there are hundreds of great indie folk albums to choose from, these five are our absolute favorites.

The 5 best indie folk albums you’ve never heard

If you’re a fan of folk music, then you know that there’s a whole world of great music out there that you may never have heard of. Here are five of the best indie folk albums that you’ve probably never heard of but are definitely worth checking out.

1. The Tallest Man on Earth – The Wild Hunt
2. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues
3. Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
4. Sufjan Stevens – Illinois
5. Iron & Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog

The 5 best overlooked indie folk albums

When it comes to indie folk music, there are some truly classic albums that everyone knows and loves. But what about the hidden gems? The albums that didn’t get the same attention but are just as good, if not better?

Here are 5 of the best overlooked indie folk albums of all time.

1. The Tallest Man on Earth – The Wild Hunt
2. Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
3. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues
4. Iron & Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog
5. Mount Eerie – A Crow Looked at Me

The 5 best indie folk albums of the past year

folk-rock: a musical genre that combines elements of folk music and rock music;

indie folk: a subgenre of indie rock, typically associated with artists who are unsigned or who release their music on independent labels;

The 5 best indie folk albums of all past year are:

1. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues
2. Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
3. Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
4. The National – High Violet
5. Sufjan Stevens – Carrie & Lowell

The 5 best upcoming indie folk albums

Folk music has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with a new generation of artists carrying on the tradition of storytelling and social commentary that has defined the genre for centuries. While the influence of folk can be felt across all genres of music, there is something special about a pure folk album, unadorned by electronic instrumentation or any other sonic embellishments.

If you’re looking for the best upcoming indie folk albums, look no further than this list. From veteran artists like Ani DiFranco and Tom Waits to newcomers like Anna Burch and Soccer Mommy, these are the albums that are sure to satisfy your folk cravings.

The 5 best indie folk albums from unknown artists

In a genre oft-defined by its mega-stars, it’s easy to forget the little guys — the indie folk artists toiling away in coffee shops and bedrooms, making quietly beautiful music. Here are five of the best albums by unknown artists in the genre.

1. “The Orchard” by Sarah Jarosz
2. “Afield” by William Elliott Whitmore
3. “Periphery” by Anais Mitchell
4. “Ourania” by Ourania
5. “The Waterfall” by The Paper Kites

The 5 best indie folk albums with a unique twist

In a world of top-40 hits and cookie-cutter pop songs, it’s refreshing to find an indie folk album that has a unique twist. Here are five of the best:

1. The Tallest Man on Earth – The Wild Hunt
2. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues
3. John Vincent – Hell or High Water
4. The Decemberists – The King Is Dead
5. Iron & Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog

The 5 best indie folk albums that tell a story

When it comes to music, there are few things more personal than taste. That’s why compiling a list of the best anything is bound to be controversial. But when it comes to the best indie folk albums of all time, we think we’ve put together a pretty solid list. These are the five records that, in our opinion, tell the best stories.

1. The Mountain Goats – The Sunset Tree (2005)

This album tells the story of John Darnielle’s tumultuous childhood, growing up with an abusive stepfather in Southern California. It’s an incredibly personal record, and Darnielle’s songwriting is at its best.

2. Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago (2007)

This is the album that made Justin Vernon a household name. It tells the story of Vernon’s self-imposed exile to a remote cabin in Wisconsin, where he wrote and recorded the album over the course of three months.

3. Sufjan Stevens – Illinois (2005)

This is Stevens’ second album in his 50 States project (he never finished), and it might be his best. It’s a love letter to his home state, and it features some of Stevens’ most beautiful songwriting.

4. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes (2008)

This debut album from the Seattle-based band was an instant classic, and it still holds up today. It’s full of gorgeous harmonies and folky arrangements, and it tells stories about love, loss, and nature.

5. The Decemberists – The Crane Wife (2006)

Similar to Sufjan Stevens Illinois, this is an album inspired by a folktale (in this case, a Japanese one). It’s a rare concept album that actually works, and it features some of Colin Meloy’s best lyrics to date.

The 5 best indie folk albums for a rainy day

There’s nothing quite like curling up with a good album on a rainy day. If you’re looking for some great indie folk to listen to, here are five of the best.

1. The Tallest Man on Earth – The Wild Hunt
2. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues
3. Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
4. Iron & Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog
5. Sufjan Stevens – Illinois

The 5 best indie folk albums to help you relax

There are few things more relaxing than a good cup of coffee and a great indie folk album. If you’re looking for the perfect soundtrack to your next cup of joe, look no further than our list of the 5 best indie folk albums of all time. From Simon and Garfunkel to Sufjan Stevens, these are the albums that will help you relax and enjoy your coffee break.

The 5 Best Indie Folk Albums of All Time