Three folk rock tracks that will prove to you that the genre doesn’t all sound the same

Joe Holt – “The Grind”
-If you’ve been around the indie folk scene for a while, you’ll know Joe Holt’s name. He’s a known commodity, a talent, and always a joy to find his music in our queue. This track has some really lovely experimental production elements that put a big smile on my face from first listen. Of course Holt’s vocal is on point, but the totality of the composition here feels rewarding. The song has an almost theatrical energy to it in some places, with a unique chord progression that dances along with the dreamy folk style of the chorus. I know they don’t really “click” as artists, but I’m really put in mind of sort of a Dodie Clark vibe with this track. To be fair, I’d love to hear a Joe Holt and Dodie collab. This song is just further evidence of the way that folk can go in a million directions and still be deeply satisfying.

Plastic Harpoons – “Struck Gold”
-I have listened to the opening of this song several times just trying to figure out what it reminds me of. It’s probably a song by like The Head and the Heart or someone like that. But you know what; let’s just let it slide and appreciate Plastic Harpoons for the art that they have produced here. This is a type of folk rock that conjures a reminiscence of that early 2000s hand-clappy folk revival (think Lumineers). I’m a huge fan of the emotional vocal balanced with some clean electric guitar lines. The combination will always remind me of those early days with bands like Fleet Foxes or the incomparable Bon Iver. The line, “the only color I see is your love” works really well here, a romantic sentiment that will carry some weight. If you’ve ever found “the one” and felt like you struck gold, this song is for you.

Uncle G – “Wrong Time”
-If you’re a fan of classic folk music – you know with the acoustic guitar and the narrative style – then you’ll like this song. Oftentimes when we get folk submissions I explain to people that it doesn’t need to be complicated; three chords and the truth, right? This song (probably?) has more than three chords, but the truth telling, honest lyrics definitely feel like a classic version of the genre. The song isn’t quite a heartbreak song, but it’s a heart-hope song about the desire to see someone even though you probably will not. It’s emotional, moving, and well worth your time if you’re a fan of folk music.

Image courtesy: Plastic Harpoons IG