5 Folk Music Bands That Will Make You Love Pop Again
If you’re a music lover who’s been stuck in a pop music rut, then check out these five folk music bands that are sure to make you love pop again.
She & Him
She & Him is a female-fronted folk music duo that will make you fall in love with pop music all over again. Comprised of singer-songwriter Zooey Deschanel and musician M. Ward, the band has a sound that is both vintage and modern. With Deschanel’s sweet voice and Ward’s guitar skills, the duo creates catchy tunes that are impossible to resist.Their albums Volume One and Volume Two are full of summery, feel-good tracks perfect for any occasion.
The Civil Wars
The Civil Wars were an American musical duo composed of singers-songwriters Joy Williams and John Paul White. They signed with Sensibility Music and became one of the most successful indie-folk acts of the 2010s, winning two Grammy Awards for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. Following their amicable split in 2014, the duo released a posthumous album in 2018 called The Nashville Sound.
The Civil Wars rose to prominence in 2011 with the release of their self-titled debut album, which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Folk Albums chart and earned them a Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. Their follow-up album, 2013’s Barton Hollow, was even more successful, reaching No. 1 on both the Folk Albums chart and the Billboard 200. The album’s first single, “From This Valley,” won them another Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
The Civil Wars’ final album, The Nashville Sound, was released posthumously in 2018. It debuted at No. 3 on the Folk Albums chart and received positive reviews from critics.
First Aid Kit
Hailing from Stockholm, sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg make up the folk music duo First Aid Kit. Signed to the legendary record label Wichita Recordings, home to Arctic Monkeys and Blondie, the sisters have been creating music together since 2007. With four studio albums under their belts, First Aid Kit’s sound has evolved over the years, but their latest release “Ruins” sees them stripping everything back to basics and returning to their folk roots.
If you’re a fan of Fleet Foxes or The Lumineers, you’ll love First Aid Kit. Their beautifully crafted songs are melancholy yet uplifting, and their harmonies will give you goosebumps. If you need a reminder of why you fell in love with pop music in the first place, giveFirst Aid Kit a listen.
The Head and the Heart
The Head and the Heart is an American indie folk band from Seattle, Washington. The band is composed of Josiah Johnson (vocals, guitar, percussion), Charity Rose Thielen (vocals, guitar, violin), Jon Russell (guitar, vocals), Chris Zasche (bass), Kenny Hensley (piano) and Tyler Williams (drums). The band’s self-titled debut album was released on vinyl and digital download on May 17, 2011, through Sub Pop. The album peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart.
Of Monsters and Men
Formed in 2010, this five-piece band from Iceland has been taking the world by storm with their unique brand of pop-infused folk music. Of Monsters and Men garnered mainstream attention with their debut album My Head is an Animal, which peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 chart and went Platinum in the United States. The band’s follow-up album, Beneath the Skin, was released in 2015 to critical acclaim, cementing their status as one of the most popular folk bands in the world.
With their catchy melodies and addicting hooks, Of Monsters and Men are sure to get stuck in your head for days on end. If you’re looking for a fun and upbeat band to help you fall in love with pop music again, Of Monsters and Men are definitely worth checking out.
