Three outstanding new folk rock tunes that you’ll want for your playlists (also a link to our NEW folk rock playlist)

Bryce French – “Settle Down”
-Okay this is not some narrative trick — I literally had to go add this song to the song of the year candidate list before I started the review. That’s how highly I think of this track. Click play and appreciate the layered vocals in the opening and you’ll hear why. There’s an intimacy to the recording that I really appreciate; it reminds me of a site favorite by the name of Rusty Clanton. The overall style here feels like it takes elements of many of my favorite bands and songs, rolling them together into one. If you’ve ever been the “nice guy” you will relate to the core lyrical concept of this song about being the one who dates your partner right before they find someone else to settle down with. It’s such a charming and relatable concept that comes through with great chord selections and an overall vibrant energy to the track. This is a fun one that I suspect I’ll be writing about again at the end of the year.

Baby Richman – “Lights Down”
-If you’re a fan of up tempo rock-influenced folk music, definitely check out this track. There’s something about the flourish in the central guitar riff here that keeps the song grounded and interesting. The rhythmic section keeps things moving along nicely. It’s the kind of song that will get your toe tapping, all while you nod your head with the lyrical flow. I am not a lyrical analyst by training, but I think this one is about persevering even when life gets hard. It’s about the way that we preserve, even when the lights seem to be dropping. I dig the vocal harmonies, too. This is just a track that sits right in the pocket of what I love about solid folk rock. I’m so glad to have discovered it and will have it on some playlists for a while.

Jade Carter – “Out of Place”
-This was my first introduction to Jade Carter’s music, but it won’t be my last time I’m sure. The guitar is soft and subtle, carrying the weight of the track. Carter’s vocal is the excellent, conveying the lyrical message with sincerity. The full composition feels like a nice warm hug from a dear friend. “You are familiar here. You are the whisper in the wind.” This is about connecting in a grounded way. I think it’s about recognizing someone who is gone and not faulting them or carrying it in a heavy way. I appreciate the calm energy of the track and the quality of the vocal. This is the type of folk music I am happy to support.

Check out our BRAND NEW Folk Rock playlist! We just need a few more followers and it will index on SubmitHub (making it easier for us to update regularly)