The Best Indie Folk Rock Music of 2018

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

The Best Indie Folk Rock Music of 2018. A list of the top 10 releases from this year that you need in your collection.

The Best Indie Folk Rock Music of 2018

2018 was another great year for indie folk rock, with a plethora of talented artists releasing fantastic music. It was difficult to narrow it down to just ten, but here are our picks for the best indie folk rock albums of 2018.

Honorable mentions go to bands like The Paper Kites, The Head and the Heart, Mount Eerie, Manchester Orchestra, and Ben Howard, who all released excellent albums this year.

10. David Crosby – Sky Trails

9. Fleet Foxes – Crack-Up

8. The Decemberists – I’ll Be Your Girl

7.Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Sex & Food

6. Father John Misty – God’s Favorite Customer

5. Vampire Weekend – Mitsubishi Macchiato EP

4. Sufjan Stevens – The Greatest Gift Mixtape – Songs For Christmas Vol. 6

3. Courtney Barnett – Tell Me How You Really Feel

2. First Aid Kit – Ruins

The Best Indie Folk Rock Music of 2018: Albums

It’s been an exciting year for indie folk rock, with a number of great albums released in 2018. Here are some of the best, in no particular order:

-Father John Misty, God’s Favorite Customer
-The Decemberists, I’ll Be Your Girl
– Lucius, Nudes
– Jenny Lewis, On the Line
– Counting Crows, Someplace Else
– David Berkeley, The Last Day of Winter

The Best Indie Folk Rock Music of 2018: Songs

The year 2018 has seen a wide variety of excellent music released in the Indie Folk Rock genre. Below are 15 of the best songs of 2018, in no particular order.

“Best Friend” by Mount Eerie
“4 designed specifically to comfort my friends who r going thru a tough time. kinda like self-help songs but from the perspective of a friend standing next to u, saying “you’re gonna be alright, we all go thru hard times, i’ve been thru hard times too. let’s get through this together”.”

“Bloom” by Ryley Walker
“‘Bloom’ is about confronting the dark reality that everything dies and fades away, and how we should appreciate the beauty in life while it lasts.”

“Byegone” by Mount Eerie
“‘Byegone’ is about how memories of people and things that are gone can continue to affect our present lives in powerful ways.”

“Darkness of This Life” by The Weather Station
“‘Darkness Of This Life’ is a song about living with depression, and how despite its overwhelming power, it is still possible to find hope and beauty in everyday life.”

“Goodbye To All That” by Waxahatchee
“‘Goodbye To All That’ is about finally being ready to move on from a toxic relationship.”

“Hurt Me” by Laura Gibson
“‘Hurt Me’ is about the complicated dynamics of an abusive relationship, and how even after escaping it, the scars can remain.”

“I Will Be Home Again” by Joshua Radin
“‘I Will Be Home Again’ is a song for anyone who has ever felt lost or alone in the world.”

“If I’m The Devil…” by Let’s Eat Grandma
“‘If I’m The Devil…’ is a song about how easy it is to get caught up in negative thinking, and how we should try to stay positive despite the challenges life throws at us.”

“Killer whales (feat. Jonsi)” by Dirty Projectors
“‘Killer whales (feat. Jonsi)’ is a beautiful song about loss and grief, and how even though those we love are gone, they still live on in our memories.”

“Lost In My Mind” by The Head And The Heart
“‘Lost In My Mind’ is a gorgeous song about feeling lost and alone in the world, and longing for someone to help you find your way back home.”

“Molecules (feat. Mansur Brown)” by Tigermilk “‘Molecules (feat. Mansur Brown)’ is a track off of Tigermilk’s debut album ‘We Are Neighbors’. The album as a whole explores feelings of isolation and displacement, but this particular song is about not being able to escape your own thoughts, even for a moment.”

“New Hampshire woods (with Moses)” by Mountain Man “‘New Hampshire woods (with Moses)’ is a hauntingly beautiful song about love and loss, and how even after someone dies, they can still be with us in spirit.”

“Nothing Arrived (feat. John Grant)” by Villagers “‘Nothing Arrived (feat. John Grant)’ is a sad but ultimately hopeful song about waiting for someone who never arrives.”

“One Way Ticket Home (live at Union Chapel)” by Bear’s Den “‘One Way Ticket Home (live at Union Chapel)’ is an absolutely gorgeous live performance of one of Bear’s Den’s most popular songs. If you’re looking for an emotionally stirring folk rock song to add to your playlist, this one definitely fits the bill.”

The Best Indie Folk Rock Music of 2018: Artists

The best indie folk rock music of 2018 includes a wide range of artists, from established acts like Arcade Fire and Vampire Weekend to newbies like Soccer Mommy and Dry Cleaning. If you’re looking for something new to listen to, here are some of the year’s best indie folk rock albums.

The Best Indie Folk Rock Music of 2018: New Releases

As the popularity of folk rock music continues to grow, there are more and more new releases to choose from. If you’re looking for the best of the best, here are our picks for the best indie folk rock music of 2018.

From well-known artists like The Paper Kites and Fleet Foxes to lesser-known names like Mount Eerie and Laura Marling, there’s something for everyone on this list. We’ve included a mix of both studio albums and live albums, so you can get a feel for each artist’s sound.

The Paper Kites – Twelvefour
The Paper Kites’ fourth studio album Twelvefour is a gorgeous collection of dreamy indie folk songs. The Australian band has crafted a beautiful album that is perfect for fans of both folk and rock music.

Mount Eerie – A Crow Looked at Me
Mount Eerie’s A Crow Looked at Me is one of the most poignant and powerful albums of 2018. It’s a raw and intimate look at grief, loss, and love, told through masterfully written folk songs.

Laura Marling – Semper Femina
Laura Marling’s seventh studio album Semper Femina is a stunning collection of feminist anthems. Marling’s songwriting is as sharp as ever on this album, which features some of her best work to date.

The National – Sleep Well Beast
The National’s eighth studio album Sleep Well Beast is a dark and atmospheric masterpiece. The band explores new territory on this album, experimenting with electronic elements to create a unique soundscape.

Fleet Foxes – Crack-Up
Fleet Foxes’ long-awaited third album Crack-Up is finally here, and it was worth the wait. This enveloping record is filled with gorgeous harmonies and intricate arrangements, making it one of the best indie folk rock albums in recent memory.

The Best Indie Folk Rock Music of 2018: Live Performances

Throughout the years, indie folk rock has become one of the most popular sub-genres of alternative music. Thanks in part to its members’ do-it-yourself ethic, the sub-genre has managed to remain fresh and innovative, always giving fans something new to enjoy.

This year was no different, as a number of great indie folk rock bands released new music. In addition, many of these bands also went on tour, giving fans the chance to see them perform live.

If you’re a fan of indie folk rock, then you’ll definitely want to check out some of the best live performances from this past year. Here are just a few of the highlights:

The Best Indie Folk Rock Music of 2018: Music Videos

2018 has been an incredible year for indie folk rock music, with a wealth of new and exciting talent emerging. In this roundup, we take a look at some of the best music videos that the genre has to offer.

From the heart-wrenching visuals of Mount Eerie’s “Real Death” to the ethereal beauty of Fleet Foxes’ “Crack-Up”, these are videos that stay with you long after you’ve watched them.

Other highlights include Amen Dunes’ “SKIN”, which perfectly captures the raw emotion of the song, and Big Thief’s “Mythological Beauty”, which is as stunning and intimate as the song itself.

So sit back, hit play, and enjoy some of the best indie folk rock music videos of 2018.

The Best Indie Folk Rock Music of 2018: Festivals

The best indie folk rock music of 2018 can be found at festivals around the country. Here are some of the most popular:
-Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival: One of the most popular music festivals in the country, Bonnaroo takes place in Manchester, Tennessee every June. The 2018 lineup includes headliners like Eminem, Muse, and The Killers.
-Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival: Another one of the most popular music festivals in the country, Coachella takes place in Indio, California every April. The 2018 lineup includes headliners like Beyonce, Radiohead, and Kendrick Lamar.
-Lollapalooza: Lollapalooza is a four-day music festival that takes place in Chicago, Illinois every August. The 2018 lineup includes headliners like Bruno Mars, Jack White, Arctic Monkeys, and Travis Scott.

The Best Indie Folk Rock Music of 2018: Playlists

We round up the best indie folk rock music of 2018 in this exclusive playlist, featuring artists like The Paper Kites, Bear’s Den, and more.

The Best Indie Folk Rock Music of 2018: Resources

Here are some great resources for finding the best indie folk rock music of 2018:
-NPR Music’s Top 100 Albums of 2018
-The Best Folk Albums of 2018 (So Far)
-The 50 Best Rock Albums of 2018
-The 30 Best albums of 2018 so far

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