Six new folk songs showing off creative textures within the genre

Ghostpipes – “Fall”
-There’s an aggressive alt rock feel to this track, even though it fits into the folk world in its own way. I admire the way the mix puts the vocal at the forefront. It reminds me of music from artists like Dustin Kensrue of Thrice, who keep the gruff vocals at the center of emotional rock-based songwriting. This is a cool sound for fans of David Ramirez and Matthew Mayfield, who we have covered a good bit in this subgenre.

Burning Circus Burning Malls – “Hometowns”
-Every once in a while a song comes along that just stops me in my tracks. This song “Hometowns” did that. I struggled to put into words exactly what I was hearing; it’s a bit of a relaxed acoustic folk song but the organ (keyboard?) reshapes the texture in interesting ways. It’s introspective and will keep you questioning. The vocal feels friendly and sincere. It works.

Jason Piquette – “Hearts for sale”
-We’ve been featuring a lot of Jason Piquette lately. You know what it means when we feature more than one track from an album? It means that they have staying power. The understated pop energy from Piquette puts a smile on my face every time, even when it’s actually a sad song. This track is about recovering from a broken heart. It’s softly empowering; it feels like a healing song.

Mighty Oaks – “All things go”
-Mighty Oaks are a powerful force in the indie folk scene right now. If this is your first introduction to them, you’ll see why they’ve built such a following. The harmonies are positively divine. The easy going folk vibe feels authentic. If you are a fan of the Lumineers movement in folk music in the past decade or so, Mighty Oaks will soothe your soul. I know I am a big fan.

St. Anthony Mann – “Shadows”
-I really like this song. This is the type of folk music that pulled me into the genre years ago. I appreciate how Mann blends the acoustic guitar with a contemplative vocal style. It’s almost as if all that delicate work with piano in the background doesn’t hit until the chorus. But it’s got this peaceful presence to the track that I really enjoy. It’s comfortable, like a warm cup of coffee on a cold day.

Wildwood Kin – “Time has come (acoustic)”
-If you’re looking for some commercial polish on a folk sound, Wildwood Kin are perfect. There’s an intensity to the sound that you just don’t hear from most bands in this folk scene. I appreciate that there’s a kind of Rascal Flatts finish to the harmonies while the string work and chord progression harken back to a rootsy sound. Also, the lyrics will get you pumped up. In a world of the Highway Women, Wildwood Kin seem poised for their own meteoric rise to stardom.