5 Folk Pop Music Artists You Need to Know
We’ve rounded up five of the best folk pop music artists that you need to know about! These talented musicians are perfect for fans of both genres.
Who is Folk Pop?
Folk pop is a music genre that combines the traditional sounds of folk music with the catchy hooks and harmonies of pop music. It’s a relatively new genre, but it has already produced some incredible artists who are changing the landscape of popular music. Here are five folk pop artists you need to know.
1. Passenger
Passenger is the stage name of English singer-songwriter Mike Rosenberg. He first gained popularity in Australia with his hit song “Let Her Go,” which has since been certified platinum in many countries and has over a billion views on YouTube. Rosenberg’s deeply personal lyrics and beautiful melodies have made him one of the most successful folk pop artists in recent years.
2. Hozier
Hozier is an Irish singer-songwriter who burst onto the scene in 2013 with his soulful debut single “Take Me to Church.” Hozier’s powerful voice and folksy guitar playing have earned him comparisons to legends like Bob Dylan and Van Morrison, and his 2016 album Wasteland, Baby! was one of the most acclaimed releases of that year.
3. The Paper Kites
The Paper Kites are an Australian indie folk band who first gained popularity with their 2012 single “Featherstone.” The band’s dreamy soundscapes and gorgeous vocal harmonies have won them a devoted following, and their 2016 album twelvefour was named after the hours spent writing it: midnight to 4AM.
4. First Aid Kit
First Aid Kit is a Swedish folk pop duo consisting of sisters Johanna and Klara Soderberg. The sisters’ close harmonies and stripped-down arrangements have won them comparisons to Simon & Garfunkel, and their 2012 album My Silver Lining was hailed as one of the best albums of that year.
5. Lord Huron
Lord Huron is an American indie folk band from Los Angeles, California. The band’s ethereal soundscapes and cinematic lyrics earned them widespread acclaim with their 2012 debut album Lonesome Dreams, and their follow-up release Strange Trails only solidified their position as one of the best new bands around.
The Avett Brothers
The Avett Brothers are an American folk rock band from Concord, North Carolina. The group is made up of two brothers, Scott Avett and Seth Avett, who play guitar and sing vocals. The Avett Brothers are known for their upbeat songs and energetic live performances.
The band released their debut album, “Country Was,” in 2002. Since then, they have released eight studio albums and three live albums. Their most recent album, “True Sadness,” was released in 2016. The Avett Brothers have won multiple awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Americana Album in 2020.
If you’re a fan of folk pop music, then you need to check out The Avett Brothers!
Mumford and Sons
Mumford and Sons is a British folk rock band that formed in 2007. The band consists of Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall, and Ted Dwane. Mumford and Sons has released three studio albums, the most recent being Wilder Mind in 2015. The band is known for their unique sound that combines traditional folk with rock and roll.
The Lumineers
The Lumineers are an American folk rock band that was formed in 2002. The band consists of Wesley Schultz, Jeremiah Fraites, Neyla Pekarek, and Stelth Ulvang. The Lumineers have released two studio albums, the most recent being Cleopatra in 2016. The band is known for their catchy tunes and simple yet effective lyrics.
Of Monsters and Men
Of Monsters and Men is an Icelandic indie folk pop band that was formed in 2010. The band consists of Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, Ragnar “Raggi” Þórhallsson, Brynjar Leifsson, Arnar Rónnholm Hilmarsson, and Kristján Páll Kristjánsson. Of Monsters and Men has released two studio albums, the most recent being Beneath the Skin in 2015. The band’s music has been featured in popular TV shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and Being Human.
The Head and the Heart
The Head and the Heart is an American indie folk pop band that was formed in 2009. The band consists of Josiah Johnson, Jonathan Russell, Charity Rose Thielen, Chris Zasche, Tyler Williams, Kenny Hensley, and Tyler Stewart. The Head and the Heart has released three studio albums, the most recent being Signs of Light in 2016. The band is known for their uplifting lyrics and melodies.
Lord Huron
Lord Huron is an American indie folk pop band that was formed in 2010 by Ben Schneider. The band currently consists of Mark Barry (drums), Miguel Briseño (bass), Dave Nelson (keyboards), Tom Renaud (guitar),and Brendon Whitney (percussion). Lord Huron has released two studio albums to date: Lonesome Dreams in 2012 and Strange Trails earlier this year in 2015. The band’s music has been featured on popular TV showssuch as Pretty Little Liarsand Bones
The Lumineers
The Lumineers are an American folk rock band based in Denver, Colorado. The band’s first album, The Lumineers, was released on April 3, 2012 and peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. The album was certified platinum in the US, Canada and Ireland. The Lumineers were nominated for two Grammy Awards including Best New Artist and Best Americana Album.
The band’s second album, Cleopatra, was released on April 8, 2016. The album peaked at number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States and was certified platinum in the US, Canada and Ireland.
The band’s third album, III, was released on September 13, 2019.
Of Monsters and Men
Of Monsters and Men is an indie folk pop band which formed in 2010 in Iceland. The members are lead singer and guitarist Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, guitarist Ragnar Þórhallsson, synth player and percussionist Arnar Rónnieston, bassist Kristján Páll Matthíasson, and drummer Ari Bragi Jónsson.
The band rose to prominence in 2011 with the release of their debut album My Head Is an Animal, which reached the number one position in several countries including the US, UK, Ireland, Canada, and Australia. The album was certified triple platinum in the US and double platinum in Canada. It also won several awards including the European Border Breakers Award and was nominated for Grammy Awards for Best Alternative Music Album and Best Rock Performance.
The band’s second album, Beneath the Skin, was released in 2015 and debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 chart in the US. It was also a top ten album in several other countries including the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The album was certified gold in the US and platinum in Ireland.
The band has toured extensively throughout Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Oceania. They have headlined their own tours as well as supporting slots for Florence + The Machine and Mumford & Sons. In 2016, they were featured as one of NPR’s 50 Great Voices.
