The Top Folk Music Lists of 2019

2019 was a great year for folk music! Check out our top lists of the best folk albums, artists, and songs of the year.

Best Overall Folk Albums of 2019

1. Weyes Blood – Titanic Rising
2. Angel Olsen – All Mirrors
3. Bonnie “Prince” Billy – I Made A Place
4. Bill Callahan – Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest
5. Nathan Salsburg – Affirmed

Best Folk Songs of 2019

The best folk songs of 2019 offer a wide variety of styles and themes, from protest songs to love songs to songs about nature. This year’s list includes both traditional and contemporary folk songs, from a variety of artists. Here are the best folk songs of 2019.

“The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll” by Billy Bragg
Billy Bragg’s reimagining of Bob Dylan’s “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll” is a haunting folk song about the murder of a black maid by a white man in 1963. Bragg’s version is slower and more melancholy than Dylan’s original, and it highlights the injustices that led to Carroll’s death.

“Green Grow the Rushes, O” by Marisa Anderson
Marisa Anderson’s cover of the traditional folk song “Green Grow the Rushes, O” is a peaceful ode to nature. Anderson’s fingerpicking guitar style and gentle voice create a feeling of calm, making this song perfect for relaxing or meditation.

” gypsy woman ” by lila downs
Lila Downs’ “Gypsy Woman” is a rocking protest song about the mistreatment of Romani people. Downs’ powerful vocals and Middle Eastern-influenced instrumentation create an anthemic call for justice that is impossible to ignore.

“John Riley” by The Dubliners
The Dubliners’ “John Riley” is a heartbreaking ballad about a soldier who leaves his home and family to fight in the Napoleonic Wars. The song paints a vivid picture of the pain and loss felt by those left behind when their loved ones go off to war.

Best Folk Albums by Genre

The top folk music lists of 2019 include the best folk albums by genre, as well as the best new artists in folk music.

The year 2019 was a great one for folk music, with a wide variety of artists and genres represented. For this list, we’ve compiled the best folk albums by genre, as well as the best new artists in folk music.

We’ve included a mix of traditional and contemporary folk music, so there’s something for everyone. No matter your taste, you’re sure to find something you love on this list!

So without further ado, here are the top folk music lists of 2019:

Best Folk Albums by Genre
-Americana: “The Tree” by The Tallest Man on Earth
-Bluegrass: “All Ashore” by Punch Brothers
-Contemporary Folk: “Songs of Our Native Daughters” by Our Native Daughters
-Country Folk: “Radiator Wins” by Sierra Hull
-Folk Rock: “Invisible Empire // Crescent Moon” by Deer Tick
-Indie Folk: “ Boy Named Charlie Darwin” by The Low Anthem
-Traditional Folk: “The Lost Songs of St Kilda vol. 1 & 2” by Hebridean Ensemble
-Singer-Songwriter: “ Patty Griffin” by Patty Griffin

Best Folk Artists of 2019

Folk music has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years, and 2019 was no exception. With a mix of new and established artists, there was no shortage of great music to choose from. These are our picks for the best folk artists of 2019.

#1 – The Decemberists
The Decemberists are a Portland, Oregon-based indie folk band that formed in 2000. The band’s sound is rooted in classic Americana and draws influences from a wide range of genres, including punk and classic rock. The Decemberists have released eight studio albums, most recently “I’ll Be Your Girl” in 2018.

#2 – Hikaru Utada
Hikaru Utada is a Japanese singer-songwriter who made her debut in 1998 with the single “First Love.” She has since gone on to sell over 81 million records and is one of the best-selling artists of all time in Japan. Utada’s music spans multiple genres, including pop, R&B, and electronic dance music. Her latest album, “Hatsukoi,” was released in 2018.

#3 – Weyes Blood
Weyes Blood is the stage name of Natalie Mering, an American singer-songwriter from Brooklyn, New York. Weyes Blood mixes elements of folk, pop, and psychedelia to create a unique sound that has earned her comparisons to artists like Joanna Newsom and Lana Del Rey. Weyes Blood released her fourth studio album, “Titanic Rising,” in 2019.

#4 – Jade Bird
Jade Bird is a 21-year-old British singer-songwriter who made her debut with the single “Lottery” in 2017. Jade Bird mixes elements of folk, country, and pop to create a sound that is both timeless and modern. Her self-titled debut album was released in 2019 to critical acclaim.

#5 – Laura Marling
Laura Marling is a British singer-songwriter who first gained attention with the release of her 2007 debut album “Alas I Cannot Swim.” Marling has released six albums since then, most recently “Semper Femina” in 2017. Marling is known for her introspective lyrics and stripped-down acoustic sound.

Best Folk Albums of the Decade

The past decade has seen an incredible resurgence in folk music. After years of being overshadowed by other genres, folk is back and better than ever. Here are the best folk albums of the decade, as chosen by the editors of Folk Alley.

1. The Winter’s Tale – David Francey
2. My Old Friend – The Infamous Stringdusters
3. Another Country – Moor Mother
4. John Prine – John Prine
5. AmeriKKKant – MOOTS
6. Ghost on the Car Radio – Turnpike Troubadours
7. All Ashore – Punch Brothers
8. We Are okay – Marian Hill
9. May Your Kindness Remain – Courtney Marie Andrews
10. The Lighthouse – The WoWz