Best Folk Music of 2016

A look at the best folk music of 2016. Featuring artists like Sarah Jarosz, John Prine, and The Milk Carton Kids.

The Revivalists- Wish I Knew You

If you want a sense of New Orleans infused in your folk music, then The Revivalists are the band for you. Their sound is a gumbo of southern rock, R&B, and blues, all served up with a heaping helping of Louisiana spice.

“Wish I Knew You” is the breakout hit from The Revivalists’ 2016 album, “Men Amongst Mountains.” The song has a catchy hook and sing-along chorus that will stay with you long after the song is over.

The Revivalists are a true band of brothers who have been making music together for over 10 years. Their tightknit bond is evident in their live performances, which are high-energy affairs full of dancing and good times.

If you’re looking for a good time, put on some The Revivalists and turn up the volume. You won’t be disappointed.

The Head and the Heart- All We Ever Knew

The Head and the Heart’s “All We Ever Knew” was one of the best folk songs of 2016. The song is about a relationship that has ended, but the protagonist is still in love with the other person. The lyrics are very relatable, and the song has a very catchy melody.

Gregory Alan Isakov- Amsterdam

2016 was a great year for folk music, with many talented artists releasing new albums and singles. One stand-out artist was Gregory Alan Isakov, whose album Amsterdam was released to critical acclaim.

Isakov is a singer-songwriter from Colorado, and his music has been described as “gentle yet melancholic, bucolic yet urban.” His lyrics are poetic and introspective, and his melodies are beautiful and haunting.

Amsterdam is an introspective album that deals with themes of love, loss, and hope. It’s a beautifully crafted album that showcases Isakov’s immense talent as a songwriter and musician. If you’re a fan of folk music, or just looking for something thoughtful and beautiful to listen to, be sure to check out Gregory Alan Isakov’s Amsterdam.

The Oh Hellos- Like the Dawn

The Oh Hellos are a Texas-based folk rock band comprised of two siblings, Maggie and Tyler Heath. Their album, Dear World, was released in September 2016 to critical acclaim. The album’s first single, “Like the Dawn,” is a beautiful and haunting track that showcases the Heaths’ exceptional songwriting and vocal abilities. The song is one of the best examples of the group’s rustic, Americana-influenced sound, and it is sure to be one of the best folk songs of 2016.

The Lumineers- Cleopatra

The Lumineers’ Cleopatra was one of the most successful folk albums of 2016. It peaked at No. 2 on both the Billboard 200 and the Top Rock Albums chart and was certified Platinum by the RIAA. The album’s lead single, “Ophelia,” was a top 10 hit on the Adult Alternative Songs chart and went Platinum in the US.

Lake Street Dive- Side Pony

Lake Street Dive’s “Side Pony” was one of the best folk albums of 2016. The album combined elements of jazz, soul, and pop to create a sound that was both nostalgic and fresh. The album’s standout tracks included “Godawful Things,” “Call Off Your Dogs,” and “I Can Change.”

Ray LaMontagne- Ojai

There are many different interpretations of what folk music is, but at its core, folk music is a genre that is passed down through the generations orally. This type of music often has themes of love, loss, hope, and social commentary. Folk music is often seen as a way to preserve the cultures and customs of a particular region or country.

Ray LaMontagne’s album Ojai is a great example of modern folk music. LaMontagne’s soothing voice paired with his accessible lyrics make this album easy to listen to. The album also features some great guest appearances, including Emmylou Harris and John Prine.

Andrew Bird- Capsized

As the year comes to a close, Andrew Bird’s “Capsized” proves to be one of the best Folk albums of 2016. The packed and punchy opening track, “Roma Fade”, features a distorted electric guitar that backs up Bird’s ever present and gorgeous violin. The song is one of the most immediate and catchy on the album, with Bird’s inimitable whistling in the chorus providing an earworm hook. From there, “Capsized” moves into more experimental territory, with the jazzy “Puma”, the eerie balladry of “Rains Demain”, and the gorgeous “Left Handed Kisses”, which features Fiona Apple on vocals. There’s something for everyone on this varied and brilliant album, which further cements Bird as one of the preeminent songwriters and musicians of our time.

The Paper Kites- Bloom

Bloom is the second studio album by Australian indie folk band The Paper Kites. It was released in Australia and New Zealand on 7 August 2015 and in the United States on 18 February 2016. The album peaked at No. 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was nominated for Best Adult Contemporary Album at the ARIA Music Awards of 2015.

The Paper Kites commenced work on Bloom during late 2013, after returning from an extended period of touring in support of their debut album States. Recording took place sporadically over the following eighteen months at various locations around Melbourne, with the band working with producer Wayne Connolly once again.

Upon its release, Bloom received positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 80, based on 6 reviews, which indicates “generally favorable reviews”.