Contemporary Folk

Contemporary folk is a genre characterized by earthy, acoustic soundscapes, often featuring instrumentation like guitars, ukuleles, and harmonicas, alongside soothing vocal styles that range from introspective whispers to soaring, emotive deliveries. Emerging in the 1990s and 2000s, contemporary folk drew inspiration from traditional folk, indie rock, and world music, with a focus on storytelling and poetic lyrics. This genre thrived in the 2010s, particularly among younger audiences seeking authentic, rootsy sounds. Contemporary folk's cultural significance lies in its role as a platform for social commentary, personal expression, and community building, often incorporating elements of psychedelic, ambient, and experimental music. Its distinctive blend of intimacy, experimentation, and global influences sets it apart from traditional folk and other acoustic-based genres, offering a unique, captivating sound that resonates with listeners seeking depth and emotional connection.

Latest Contemporary Folk Release
undefined album image
Breathless
Single - Released March 28, 2025
Top Artists Spotify Logo
Zach Bryan
Bernadya
Natanzinho Lima
Michael Marcagi
Roxy Dekker
Arjan Dhillon
Top Playlists
OCTA - Folk / Singer-songwriter / Misc 50 Contemporary Folk artists
OCTA - Songs of the Year 2023 47 Contemporary Folk artists
The Sound of Classic Nepali Pop 29 Contemporary Folk artists
Inspiring Singer Songwriters 28 Contemporary Folk artists
The Sound of Lok Dohori 22 Contemporary Folk artists
alexrainbirdMusic 2025 16 Contemporary Folk artists

RecentMusic users are tracking 3437 Contemporary Folk artists for new releases, and have access to the full timeline of 54,875 releases .

Join them and feed your new music addiction, and add the Contemporary Folk artists you love!

Get Started Browse Arists
  1. March 28, 2025
  2. March 28
  3. March 28
  4. March 28
  5. March 27
  6. March 27
  7. March 27
  8. March 26
  9. March 25
  10. March 21
  11. March 21
  12. March 21
  13. March 21
  14. March 21
  15. March 21
  16. March 21
  17. March 21
  18. March 21
  19. March 21
  20. March 21
  21. March 21
  22. March 21
  23. March 21
  24. March 21
  25. March 21
  26. March 21
  27. March 20
  28. March 20
  29. March 20
  30. March 20
  31. March 19
  32. March 19
  33. March 19
  34. March 18
  35. March 15
  36. March 15
  37. March 14
  38. March 14
  39. March 14
  40. March 14