The Best Indie Folk Music of 2020

A year-end roundup of the best indie folk music of 2020. From new artists to veteran musicians, these are the tracks that stood out to us this year.

The Best Indie Folk Albums of 2020

As the world grapples with a global pandemic, social injustice, and political turmoil, it can be easy to forget that music is still being made.

But even in the darkest of times, people find ways to create and share art, and 2020 has been no exception. If anything, the past year has seen a resurgence in protest music as artists use their platform to speak out against racism, police brutality, and other social issues.

The following are some of the best indie folk albums of 2020 that have been released so far. These records offer a much-needed respite from the heaviness of the world and provide a reminder that there is still beauty to be found in life.

Bon Iver – i,i
This album is the fourth studio release from Bon Iver, and it finds the band exploring new sonic territory while still staying true to their roots. i,i is an atmospheric and cohesive record that ebbs and flows between moments of joy and sorrow. It’s an intimate album that feels like a conversation between old friends, and it’s one of the most disarmingly honest records of 2020 so far.

The National – I Am Easy to Find
I Am Easy to Find is The National’s eighth studio album, and it’s one of their most ambitious releases to date. The record is a sprawling 24-track opus that features guest vocalists including Sharon Van Etten, Kate Stables (of This Is the Kit), Lisa Hannigan, Mina Tindle, Gail Ann Dorsey, and longtime collaborator Sufjan Stevens. The result is a richly textured album that touches on themes of love, loss, hope, and despair. It’s a beautifully heartbreaking record that feels all too relevant in today’s world.

Moses Sumney – græ
græ is Moses Sumney’s highly anticipated sophomore album, and it does not disappoint. The double album is deftly crafted with each track leading seamlessly into the next. Sumney’s use of auto-tune throughout the record gives his voice an otherworldly quality that enhances the dreamlike atmosphere of the album. græ is an ambitious and ambitious experimental folk record that firmly establishes Sumney as one of the most innovative artists working today.

The Best Indie Folk Songs of 2020

The past year has been filled with so much incredible indie folk music. Here are the best indie folk songs of 2020.

“Dreams” by The Front Bottoms
The Front Bottoms are an American indie folk band from New Jersey, and “Dreams” is the lead single from their seventh studio album In Sickness & In Flames. The song is an upbeat, hopeful track that’s perfect for a summer road trip.

“Ryegrass” by Bon Iver
Bon Iver is an American indie folk band from Wisconsin, and “Ryegrass” is a beautiful, ethereal track from their fourth studio album 22, A Million. The song is about love and loss, and the cycle of life and death.

“Death With Dignity” by Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens is an American singer-songwriter from Michigan, and “Death With Dignity” is a devastatingly beautiful song about accepting death with grace. The song is taken from Stevens’ 2015 album Carrie & Lowell, which was inspired by the death of his mother.

“The Wolves (Act I & II)” by Bon Iver
Bon Iver’s “The Wolves (Act I & II)” is a gorgeous, atmospheric track that features crying wolf samples and deer sounds over banjo plucking and electronic beats. The song is taken from the band’s 2007 debut album For Emma, Forever Ago.

The Best Indie Folk Artists of 2020

The best indie folk music of 2020 includes a wide range of artists, from newbies to longtime veterans, all releasing stellar records.

This year has been full of great music across all genres, but there’s something special about the best indie folk albums of 2020. Maybe it’s the plaintive wail of a banjo, the strum of an acoustic guitar, or the warm melodies carried by sweet voices, but there’s something about these records that feels like a balm for the soul. In a year that has been so difficult for so many people, it’s nice to have music that can transport us to simpler times and provide comfort in difficult times.

Here are some of the best indie folk albums of 2020:

-Bonny Light Horseman – Bonny Light Horseman
-The Ballroom Thieves – Unlovely
– Jade Bird – Uh Huh
-FIRES – All Eyes On Me
– The Wild Reeds – Cheers