Three thoughtful, engaging, emerging indie folk artists you’ll want to share with your friends immediately

Joseph G. Thompson – “Wonder”
-Joseph G. Thompson is slowly becoming one of the artists that I approve more than not and it’s easy to hear why. This is sincere folk music, complete with thoughtful introspection and soothing acoustic guitar picking. The central lyric is about wondering how much you have to give in life. There’s a heartbreak element here that comes across with gentleness and sincerity. This is the kind of music that transcends genre in some ways, feeling like a diary entry that shares deep innermost thoughts in a clear and meaningful way. I admire the art that it takes to produce a track like this and to bear one’s heart on their sleeve. Joseph Thompson is on my short list of “ones to watch.”

Ella Dunshea – “(if you) let me”
-This is a love song. Well, it’s certainly an intimate song. It’s about sharing a bed and connecting with a lover. But you know what else it is? It’s a song about the importance of mutuality and the connection going both ways. The caveat in the lyric here, “if you…” is important and nuanced. I won’t editorialize on that further, but definitely hope that you hear it. The recording itself is stripped down and sincere folk style, with a hint of indie pop. But the message is the reason this song is so powerful; if you’ve ever been in a situation with a significant other who is holding you at arm’s length, this song will resonate deeply. I sincerely appreciate the depth and sincerity of this track.

Sara Hartman – “if”
-One of my favorite things about being a writer about music is that I never know when the frisson will hit; it’s not always the same genre or style or production mix. There’s no clear theme as to why it hits, but when it does… what a rush! This is a deeply intimate, carefully written song that has some of the most wonderful imagery I’ve heard all year… and believe me when I say I feel chills with each listen. The recording style makes it feel like the vocalist is right alongside your ear. The atmospheric recording elements create a musical cocoon that holds the characters close, like lying in bed together or cuddling up in a soft warm place. The lyrical content is poetic, powerful, and gloriously tactile in its intimacy. I simply cannot fathom what it would be like to hear this live. It’s delicate, sweet, and above all heartfelt.