The Best Folk Music of 2014

Folk music has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with a new generation of performers taking up the mantle of folk legends like Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, and Pete Seeger. 2014 was a particularly strong year for folk music, with several excellent albums being released by both established and up-and-coming artists. Here are our picks for the best folk music of 2014.

The top folk music of 2014

2014 was a great year for folk music, with a wide variety of artists releasing great new albums. Here are some of the best folk music releases of 2014.

The dismembered bones of country, rock, pop, and whatever else you can think of get lovingly rearranged by Ryley Walker on his excellent album All Kinds Of You.

Andy Shauf’s The Bearer Of Bad News is a gorgeous collection of introspective folk songs that sound like they could have been written at any point in the last 50 years.

Canadian singer-songwriter Bahamas (afka Afie Jurvanen) released his third album, Bahamas Is Afie, which is a perfect summer record full of easygoing country-tinged pop songs.

Singer-songwriter Ben Howard released his sophomore album I Forget Where We Were, which is an atmospheric and emotional record that finds him expanding his sound while still staying true to his roots.

Angela Perley & The Hillbilly High Heels released their excellent debut album Gimme A Minute on vinyl and digital formats. The album is full of twangy country-influenced songs that are bound to get your toes tapping.

The best of 2014’s folk music

From intimate and personal singer-songwriter anthems to politically-charged folk-rock, 2014 was a great year for folk music. Here are some of the best examples of the genre from this past year.

The top 10 folk songs of 2014

Folk music has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, and 2014 was no exception. From up-and-coming artists to veteran acts, there was no shortage of great folk music this year. Here are our picks for the top 10 folk songs of 2014.

1. “The Ghost of Tom Joad” by Bruce Springsteen
2. “Ain’t No Grave” by Johnny Cash
3. “The Weight” by The Band
4. “I Am a Wanderer” by Willie Nelson
5. “The Times They Are A-Changin'” by Bob Dylan
6. “When the Ship Comes In” by The Pogues
7. “The Streets of Philadelphia” by Bruce Springsteen
8. “Fare Thee Well (Dink’s Song)” by Odetta
9. “No Depression” by Uncle Tupelo
10. “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” by The Carter Family

The best folk albums of 2014

Folk music has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with a new generation of artists giving the genre a fresh sound. 2014 was a great year for folk music, with many excellent albums being released. Here are our picks for the best folk albums of 2014.

-The Lumineers, “The Lumineers”
-Mumford & Sons, “Babel”
-The Head and the Heart, “Let’s Be Still”
-Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, “Self-Titled”
– First Aid Kit, “Stay Gold”

The best folk music from 2014

Folk music has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, and 2014 was no exception. From up-and-coming artists to veteran performers, there was no shortage of great music to choose from. Here are some of the best folk albums from last year.

The Lumineers – The Lumineers
The Lumineers’ self-titled debut album was an instant classic, mixing elements of folk, rock, and pop to create a sound that was both fresh and accessible. Featuring hits like “Ho Hey” and “Stubborn Love,” the album quickly rose to the top of the charts and has become one of the most popular folk albums of all time.

Bob Dylan – Another Self Portrait (1969-1971)
This massive box set from Bob Dylan features previously unreleased recordings from the legendary singer-songwriter’s “Self Portrait” and “New Morning” sessions. With four discs containing over two hours of music, this is a must-have for any Dylan fan.

First Aid Kit – Stay Gold
Swedish sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg make up the folk duo First Aid Kit, and their third album “Stay Gold” is a beautiful collection of country-influenced pop songs. Featuring guest appearances from Conor Oberst and Neil Young, “Stay Gold” is one of the most accomplished albums inFirst Aid Kit’s catalogue.

The Paper Kites – twelvefour
Australian indie folk band The Paper Kites released their second album “twelvefour” in 2014, an atmospheric collection of songs inspired by the nurses who worked at a hospital near lead singer Sam Bentley’s childhood home. The album is named for the overnight shift that these nurses worked, and its songs are filled with images of loss, love, and hope.

The best new folk music of 2014

If you’re a fan of folk music, 2014 was a great year. There were many new and exciting releases in the genre, and it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few. However, these are some of the best new folk music albums of 2014:

The Head and the Heart – Let’s Be Still

This album is the third release from The Head and the Heart, and it’s a beautiful collection of folk-infused indie rock songs. The album has a warm, organic sound, and the lyrics are often introspective and contemplative. Standout tracks include “Shake”, “Another Story”, and “These Days Are Numbered”.

The Lumineers – Cleopatra

The Lumineers followed up their hugely successful debut album with another winner in Cleopatra. This album is full of catchy, sing-along songs that are sure to get stuck in your head. Highlights include “Ophelia”, “Cleopatra”, and “Angela”.

Josh Ritter – Sermon on the Rocks

Sermon on the Rocks is the latest release fromJosh Ritter, and it’s one of his most personal albums to date. He draws inspiration from his own life experiences, resulting in songs that are both personal and universal. Standout tracks include “Getting Ready to Get Down”, “Cumberland”, and “Empty Hearts”.

The best traditional folk music of 2014

traditional folk music had a great year in 2014. Here are some of the best traditional folk albums of the year.

The best contemporary folk music of 2014

The term “folk music” can mean a lot of different things to different people. For the purposes of this article, we’re focusing on contemporary folk music – that is, folk music that is being made by today’s artists.

There was a lot of great folk music released in 2014, so it was hard to narrow it down to just a few favorites. But here are some of the best contemporary folk albums of the year:

The War on Drugs – Lost in the Dream

This album was one of the most acclaimed releases of 2014, and it’s easy to see why. The War on Drugs combine elements of classic rock, country, and folk to create a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh. Lost in the Dream is an atmospheric and emotionally charged album that is sure to stand the test of time.

Hurray for the Riff Raff – Small Town Heroes

Hurray for the Riff Raff’s Americana-influenced brand of folk music sounds like it could have been made in any decade from the last century. But there’s something about Alynda Lee Segarra’s voice and songwriting that feels completely unique and modern. Small Town Heroes is an intimate and personal album that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.

The Lone Bellow – Then Came Morning

The Lone Bellow burst onto the scene in 2013 with their self-titled debut album. Then Came Morning finds them expanding their sound while still retaining the tight harmonies and heart-wrenching songs that made their debut so special. If you’re looking for an invigorating dose of pure emotion, look no further than The Lone Bellow.

The best underground folk music of 2014

The past year has been an incredible one for folk music, with a wealth of talented artists emerging from the underground scene. Here are our picks for the best folk music of 2014.

Pete Seeger – “We Shall Overcome”

Bob Dylan – “The Times They Are A-Changin'”

Joan Baez – “No Woman, No Cry”

The White Stripes – “Seven Nation Army”

The Best Folk Music of 2014