The Best of Folk Music: Top Picks for 2018
Folk music has been around for centuries and has undergone many changes. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best folk music of 2018.
The Revival of Folk Music
Folk music has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years. More and more people are rediscovering the beauty and simplicity of this genre of music. If you’re looking for some good folk music to listen to, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll be sharing our top picks for the best folk music of 2018.
The New Folk Movement
Fueled by a desire to return to simpler times and by a frustration with the artificiality of contemporary pop music, the New Folk Movement began in the early 1960s. Rooted in the music of earlier folk artists such as Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, and Pete Seeger, as well as in the traditional music of Ireland, Scotland, and England, the New Folk Movement brought American folk music back to its roots.
The New Folk Movement was led by such artists as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Peter, Paul and Mary, and The Kingston Trio. These artists were able to reach a wide audience through their appearances on television and their recordings. Dylan’s electric performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival caused a sensation and signaled a new direction for folk music.
The New Folk Movement had a profound impact on popular culture. The popularity of folk music helped to fuel the Civil Rights Movement and the anti-war movement of the 1960s. Folk music also played an important role in the counterculture movement of that decade. The New Folk Movement gave rise to such genres as country rock and singer-songwriter music.
The Return of Traditional Folk
Folk music has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, thanks in part to the rise of Americana and alternative country. But what is folk music, exactly? The answer isn’t as simple as you might think.
At its core, folk music is music that is passed down through generations, often by oral tradition. It is the music of the people, and it often reflects the culture and values of the community in which it is performed. Folk music can be upbeat and cheerful, or it can be dark and mournful; it can be religious or secular; it can tell stories or make commentary on current events.
Some of the most popular folk musicians today are those who are keeping traditional folk alive. Artists like Dom Flemons, Rhiannon Giddens, Laurie Lewis, and Mary Gauthier are just a few examples of artists who are keeping traditional folk music alive and well in the 21st century.
The Best Folk Albums of 2018
It’s been a great year for folk music, with many artists releasing excellent albums. Here are our top picks for the best folk albums of 2018.
The Ballad of the Broken Seas by Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan
Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan’s The Ballad of the Broken Seas is one of the best folk albums of 2018. Released in 2006, the album is a collection of covers of traditional folk songs, reworked by Campbell and Lanegan with their own unique twist.
The Ballad of the Broken Seas is a beautiful album, full of heartbreak and hope. Campbell’s voice is stunning and emotive, while Lanegan’s gruff delivery adds an element of darkness. The pair complement each other perfectly, and the result is an album that feels both classic and contemporary.
If you’re a fan of folk music, or simply looking for a great album to curl up with on a cold winter’s night, The Ballad of the Broken Seas is essential listening.
All the Rage by The Devil Makes Three
All the Rage is the eighth studio album by Americana trio The Devil Makes Three. It was released on October 6, 2017, through New West Records.
The album peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Folk Albums chart and No. 2 on the Top Heatseekers Albums chart.
Critical reception
AllMusic’s Timothy Monger said, “Their sound is often sparse and largely acoustic with a focus on Dobro and guitar picking bolstered by Payne’s bluesy upright bass lines, but for All the Rage they’ve given themselves a little more room to stretch out…. An excellent addition to their catalog and a nice representation of their live shows.”
We Are the Way Forward by Gaelynn Lea
Folk music often reflects the traditions of a culture and can be used to tell stories about history, current events, and the human condition. It is music that is meant to be shared and enjoyed by all.
We Are the Way Forward is the debut album by fiddle player and singer-songwriter Gaelynn Lea. The album was released on February 23, 2018, on Sony Masterworks.
The album consists of eleven tracks of original folk music written and performed by Gaelynn Lea. The tracks are all written in a traditional folk style with intricate instrumentation and beautiful vocal harmonies. The lyrics are introspective and thought-provoking, grappling with topics such as mental illness, loss, and hope.
We Are the Way Forward is a remarkable debut album that is sure to please fans of folk music. The tracks are well-written and performed with passion and skill. The album is highly recommended for fans of Folk Music.
The Best Folk Songs of 2018
It’s been a great year for folk music, with a number of excellent new albums and songs released. Here are our picks for the best folk songs of 2018. These are the songs that we think are the best of the best, and we hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
“Fare Thee Well” by Oscar Isaac
“Fare Thee Well” is a haunting, melancholic ballad that perfectly suits Isaac’s gruff voice. The song reflects on a relationship that ended, and how the narrator-(Isaac) regrets not being able to make it work. The lyrics are simple, but incredibly effective in conveying the deep sense of loss and regret that the character is feeling.
The song is further elevated by its gorgeous instrumental track, which features delicate piano and strings that add an extra layer of emotion to the already moving tune. “Fare Thee Well” is one of the best folk songs of 2018, and is a perfect example of Isaac’s skill as both a singer and a songwriter.
“The Auld Triangle” by The Pogues
The Pogues are an Irish folk-punk band who formed in London in 1982. The band reached its peak of popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s. “The Auld Triangle” is a song written by band member Shane MacGowan and originally released on the band’s 1986 album If I Should Fall from Grace with God.
The song is about life in an Irish prison and the hardships faced by inmates. It has been covered by many artists, including Bob Dylan and The Dubliners.
“I’ll Be Your Mirror” by The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in 1964 in New York City. The band was first active between 1965 and 1973, and was founded by Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison, and Nico.
Their song “I’ll Be Your Mirror” is a folk song written by Lou Reed and released on the band’s 1967 debut album, The Velvet Underground & Nico. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Patti Smith, Jeff Buckley, and Courtney Love.
The song is about a relationship between two people who are in love with each other but can’t be together. It’s a sad song, but it’s also a hopeful one. The chorus of the song goes:
“I’ll be your mirror / Reflect what you are / In case you don’t know / I’ll be your mirror.”
This is a beautiful and melancholic folk song that anyone can appreciate.
