The Folk Revolution

Folk music has always confused me, most of the bad stuff is overrated, whilst the good stuff is underrated. In my eyes there isn’t usually much in the way of good stuff, yet recently I have been bombarded with folk songs that are outstanding. Popularity for the genre has monumentally increased over recent years by a youthful wave of stylish, attractive and clever songwriters writing music for young people with sensitive ears and for middle-class thirty-something’s. Mumford & Sons, Bon Iver and Laura Marling are three of the most successful folk artists to gain folk stardom, and now are being preceded by the next wave of this revolution.

Benjamin Francis Leftwich: A York singer-songwriter with dreamy tunes that make your heart skip a beat (Oh god, I sound so pathetic). He wistfully coos some of the best folk songs I’ve ever heard; lyrics of twisted love combated by soft, whispering vocals and flutters of guitar. Sehr gut. 

Dry The River: Definitely my favourite of the folk renegade, is an atypical folk band, not elder country folk in the attire of gypsies, but folk with a harsh, almost punk mentality. Folk with tattoos. As you will hear, from this utterly brilliant song, their lead singer, Peter Liddle has a harrowingly gorgeous voice, contrasting with the bands rock-influenced guitars. This song is a slow-burner, but amazing never-the-less. 

Ben Howard: Ben conforms more to the stereotypical folk singer, Devonian heritage etc, but why should it matter when he has such good songs. It may be stereotypical, but is there is nothing fey about his folk, it has backing harmonies and guitar pluckage (a very technical term), but is pacey and bounces along with beef.

Boy and Bear: Quite a lot of Mumfordness about their style but it’s good, so here you go.

I hope some of this was of interests, if not tell me what genres you want me to scrutinize next. Regards 🙂