5 Modern Folk Music Bands to Check Out in 2017

Looking for something a little different in your music listening this year? Check out these five modern folk music bands that are sure to please!

The Decemberists

If you’re a fan of modern folk music, then you definitely need to check out The Decemberists. This band has been making music since 2005 and they show no signs of slowing down. They have a unique sound that is a mix of indie rock and folk music. Their lyrics are often based on historical events or literature.

Albums

The Decemberists released their eighth studio album I’ll Be Your Girl in March of 2018. The album was produced by Tucker Martine and features the singles “Severed”, “We All Die Young”, and “Once in My Life”.

I’ll Be Your Girl is a departure from the folk-rock sound that The Decemberists have become known for. The album features synthesizers, drum machines, and other electronic instrumentation. Lyrically, the album is concerned with dark themes such as death and decay.

The Decemberists have said that they were influenced by the work of English musician David Bowie while making I’ll Be Your Girl. Bowie’s principle collaborator during his Berlin period, Brian Eno, also served as an inspiration for the album.

Songs

“The Crane Wife 3”
“The Island: Come and See / The Landlord’s Daughter / You’ll Not Feel the Drowning”
“Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)”
“O Valencia!”
“The Perfect Crime #2”
“When the War Came”
“Shankill Butchers”
“16 Military Wives”
“Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect”
“Leslie Ann Levine”

Fleet Foxes

Fleet Foxes are an American indie folk band which formed in Seattle in 2006. The group is notable for their use of three-part vocal harmonies, and their unique instrumentation which includes banjo, mandolin, and accordion. Their first album, Fleet Foxes, was released in 2008 to critical acclaim.

Albums

Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues (Sub Pop)

Fleet Foxes’ 2011 album Helplessness Blues was a modern classic, and one of the best albums of the past decade. The band’s intricate harmonies and beautiful melodies were in full force on that album, and it’s fair to say that they raised the bar for what a folk album could be.

On their new album Crack-Up, Fleet Foxes have once again upped the ante, creating an even more ambitious and complex work. Crack-Up is a six-song cycle that weaves together elements of folk, rock, and classical music, all anchored by the band’s stunning harmonies. It’s a daring and ambitious work, and one that confirms Fleet Foxes as one of the best bands working today.

Songs

Fleet Foxes are one of the most popular modern folk bands and their music is characterized by intricate vocal harmonies, use of counterpoint, and unconventional song structures. The band’s self-titled debut album was released in 2008 to critical acclaim, and their follow-up album Helplessness Blues was released in 2011 to similar praise. Fleet Foxes’ music has been featured in numerous films and television shows, and they have toured extensively throughout the world.

Sun Giant EP
1. “Sun Giant” – 3:43
2. “Drops in the River” – 3:05
3. “English House” – 5:02
4. “Mykonos” – 4:15
5. “Blue Ridge Mountains” – 4:49
6. “He Doesn’t Know Why” – 4:27
7. “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song” – 5:03

Bon Iver

Bon Iver is an American folk band founded in 2006 by singer-songwriter Justin Vernon. The band’s debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago, was released in 2007. The album was nominated for three Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist and Best Alternative Music Album.

Albums

Bon Iver was formed in 2007 by singer-songwriter Justin Vernon. The band’s first album, For Emma, Forever Ago, was released in 2007. The album was recorded in a cabin in Wisconsin, and it is considered to be one of the most important indie folk albums of the 2000s. Bon Iver’s second album, Bon Iver, was released in 2011. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album. Bon Iver’s third album, 22, A Million, was released in 2016.

Songs

Bon Iver is an American indie folk band founded in 2007 by singer-songwriter Justin Vernon. The band’s name derives from the French phrase bon hiver, meaning “good winter,” which is also the title of their debut album. The album was recorded over a three-month period in a secluded cabin in northwestern Wisconsin.

The band is known for their unique sound, which combines Vernon’s falsetto vocals with folk, hip hop, and electronic instrumentation. They have released three studio albums, each to critical acclaim. Their most recent album, 22, A Million, was released in 2016.

The band has toured extensively over the past decade, performing at festivals such as Coachella,Glastonbury, and Lollapalooza. They have also headlined their own tours, including the Bonnaroo Music Festival in 2011 and 2012.

The Head and the Heart

The Head and the Heart might just be the perfect modern folk band. The band’s members hail from Seattle and they met through open mics and casual jam sessions. The band has released three albums, the most recent of which, Signs of Light, debuted at number five on the Billboard 200.

Albums

1. The Head and the Heart – Signs of Light

2. Fleet Foxes – Crack-Up

3. The Lumineers – Cleopatra

4. Of Monsters and Men – Beneath the Skin

5. Bon Iver – 22, A Million

Songs

The Head and the Heart’s self-titled album was released in 2011 and includes the singles “Rivers and Roads” and “Down in the Valley.” The band’s folk-infused indie rock sound has earned them national attention, and their latest album, Signs of Light, debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 chart.

Iron and Wine

If you’re a fan of modern folk music, then you definitely need to check out Iron and Wine. This band has a unique sound that is a perfect blend of folk and indie. Their lyrics are incredibly deep and meaningful, and their music is just as beautiful. You can’t go wrong with Iron and Wine.

Albums

Iron & Wine – Our Endless Numbered Days (2004)

Iron & Wine’s debut album is a stunning set of intimate, acoustic songs built around Sam Beam’s warm, weathered voice and evocative lyrics. The album was recorded in a solo setting, with Beam playing all the instruments himself, and the result is an intimate, personal sound that feels like slipping into a comfortable pair of old shoes. Our Endless Numbered Days is a quiet gem of an album, and it remains one of Iron & Wine’s best.

Pentatonix – A Pentatonix Christmas (2016)

Pentatonix is a modern day acappella group who rose to fame by winning the third season of NBC’s The Sing-Off in 2011. Since then, they’ve released a string of successful albums, including their holiday-themed release A Pentatonix Christmas. The album features renditions of classic Christmas songs like “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Mary, Did You Know,” as well as original tracks like “Little Drummer Boy” and “Away in a Manger.” A Pentatonix Christmas is a fun, festive album that’s perfect for getting you into the holiday spirit.

Songs

Iron and Wine’s songs are sometimes wistful, sometimes whimsical, and always beautiful. The band has a knack for writing catchy melodies and crafting stunning visual imagery with their words. If you’re looking for a modern folk music band that knows how to write a great song, Iron and Wine is definitely worth checking out.

Notable songs:
-“Bird Stomping”
-“Cinder and Smoke”
-“Fever Dream”
-“Lovesong of the Buzzard”
-“Naked as We Came”