Anti-folk

Anti-folk is a genre characterized by its lo-fi, DIY ethos and eclectic blend of folk, punk, and indie rock elements. Emerging in the 1980s, it gained momentum in the 1990s and 2000s, particularly in New York City's East Village scene. Anti-folk music often features simplistic, storytelling-style lyrics, acoustic instrumentation, and a rejection of traditional folk music's polished production values. The genre's cultural significance lies in its raw, emotive, and often humorous critique of societal norms, politics, and personal relationships. Drawing from punk's energy and folk's narrative tradition, anti-folk also incorporates elements of psychedelia, country, and avant-garde music. Notable for its anti-establishment stance and emphasis on creative freedom, anti-folk has influenced a range of genres, from indie rock to singer-songwriter styles, and continues to inspire artists who value authenticity and experimentation over commercial polish.

Latest Anti-folk Release
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The Actor
Single - Released April 15, 2025
Top Artists Spotify Logo
Beck
Regina Spektor
Penelope Scott
The Mountain Goats
Langhorne Slim
AJJ
Top Playlists
Imogen Heap Top Radio 3 Anti-folk artists
weird girl music 3 Anti-folk artists
OCTA - Folk / Singer-songwriter / Misc 2 Anti-folk artists
Björk Top Radio 2 Anti-folk artists
The 100 Best Songs of 2023 1 Anti-folk artist
One-Eyed Doll Top Radio 1 Anti-folk artist

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  1. April 15, 2025
  2. March 28
  3. March 21
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  5. March 14
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  7. February 27
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  12. December 16, 2024
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  15. November 1
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    67 Skies
    12 tracks
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  40. April 25