The Best Folk & Singer-Songwriter Albums
Quiet records that say the loudest things.
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1BlueJoni Mitchell
Blue
An intimate, confessional landmark of singer-songwriter craft, spare in arrangement and emotionally fearless. Mitchell's melodies and open tunings are extraordinary throughout. Routinely named one of the greatest albums ever made.
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2Bridge over Troubled WaterSimon & Garfunkel
Bridge over Troubled Water
Their final and biggest album, balancing the soaring title hymn with lighter, worldlier songs. Immaculately produced and hugely popular. A perfect send-off.
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3HarvestNeil Young
Harvest
Young's warmest, most accessible record, full of country-rock comfort and the tender 'Heart of Gold'. His best-selling album for good reason. An easy entry point.
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4At Folsom PrisonJohnny Cash
At Folsom Prison
Recorded live for an audience of inmates, it captures Cash at his most charismatic and human. Raw, funny and moving. One of the great live albums.
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5For Emma, Forever AgoBon Iver
For Emma, Forever Ago
Recorded alone in a remote winter cabin, its falsetto and layered harmonies feel both raw and otherworldly. The origin myth fits the music. A quietly influential debut.
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6Court and SparkJoni Mitchell
Court and Spark
Mitchell's jazziest, most accessible record, pairing sophisticated arrangements with sharp, witty writing. It was her commercial peak and remains deeply rewarding. A perfect bridge between her folk and jazz periods.
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7HejiraJoni Mitchell
Hejira
A restless, jazzy travelogue of long, literate songs and Jaco's bass. Reflective and singular. A late peak.
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8Ladies of the CanyonJoni Mitchell
Ladies of the Canyon
A warm bridge between folk and her jazzier turn, home to 'Big Yellow Taxi'. Tuneful and beloved. A favourite.
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9Pink MoonNick Drake
Pink Moon
Recorded in two nights with just voice and guitar, it is spare, intimate and quietly devastating. Overlooked in his lifetime and now treasured. Hushed perfection.
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10Five Leaves LeftNick Drake
Five Leaves Left
A gorgeous, string-laced debut of melancholy English folk, understated and beautifully arranged. A grower that becomes essential. One of the genre's most affecting records.
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11Bryter LayterNick Drake
Bryter Layter
A lusher, jazz-touched record of bittersweet beauty. Warm and understated. A quiet classic.
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12Songs of Leonard CohenLeonard Cohen
Songs of Leonard Cohen
A debut of literary, world-weary folk that introduced 'Suzanne' and 'So Long, Marianne'. Spare and poetic. The foundation of a long, great career.
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13Songs of Love and HateLeonard Cohen
Songs of Love and Hate
A stark, intense peak of literary folk, home to 'Famous Blue Raincoat'. Dark and beautiful. One of his best.
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14TapestryCarole King
Tapestry
The album that defined the confessional singer-songwriter era, warm and tuneful from 'It's Too Late' to 'You've Got a Friend'. A massive, enduring seller. Comfort itself.
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15Sweet Baby JamesJames Taylor
Sweet Baby James
A gentle, intimate landmark of the singer-songwriter era, home to 'Fire and Rain'. Warm and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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16Tea for the TillermanCat Stevens
Tea for the Tillerman
Warm, melodic folk-pop of searching and faith, home to 'Father and Son' and 'Wild World'. Gentle and enduring. His defining record.
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17Astral WeeksVan Morrison
Astral Weeks
A mystical, free-flowing fusion of folk, jazz and soul, unlike anything before or since. Improvisational and transcendent. Frequently named among the greatest albums ever.
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18MoondanceVan Morrison
Moondance
Warmer and more song-based than Astral Weeks, all joy and swing, from the title track to 'Into the Mystic'. Soulful and beloved. A perfect record.
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19GraceJeff Buckley
Grace
A soaring, romantic debut of extraordinary vocal range, home to the definitive 'Hallelujah'. His only studio album, and a treasure. Singular and beautiful.
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20Either/OrElliott Smith
Either/Or
Hushed, intricate songwriting of real darkness and melody, the album that brought him wider notice. Intimate and devastating. A cult masterpiece.
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21Fleet FoxesFleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
A lush, harmony-drenched debut of pastoral baroque folk. Timeless and beautiful. A defining record of its indie moment.
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22IllinoisSufjan Stevens
Illinois
A maximal, orchestral song-cycle about a US state, brimming with marching-band flourishes and tender storytelling. Ambitious and joyful. His most acclaimed record.
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23Carrie & LowellSufjan Stevens
Carrie & Lowell
A hushed, devastating meditation on his late mother, stripped back to whispered vocals and fingerpicked guitar. Almost unbearably intimate. A modern folk masterpiece.
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24Bon Iver, Bon IverBon Iver
Bon Iver, Bon Iver
A lush, layered second album that expanded the hushed debut into widescreen beauty. Gorgeous and Grammy-winning. A peak.
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25After the Gold RushNeil Young
After the Gold Rush
A fragile, beautiful set balancing piano ballads and ragged electric rock, more haunted than Harvest. A quiet favourite among devotees. Timeless.
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26On the BeachNeil Young
On the Beach
A bleak, beautiful record of disillusion and fragile beauty. Raw and beloved. A devotee favourite.
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27Everybody Knows This Is NowhereNeil Young
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
The first with Crazy Horse, ragged and electric, home to 'Cinnamon Girl'. Loose and powerful. A landmark.
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28BookendsSimon & Garfunkel
Bookends
A reflective, beautifully crafted song-cycle on aging and America. Tuneful and thoughtful. One of their best.
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29Sounds of SilenceSimon & Garfunkel
Sounds of Silence
An early peak built around its hushed, electrified title hit. Tuneful and beloved. A breakthrough.
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30John PrineJohn Prine
John Prine
A wry, humane debut of perfect songwriting, home to 'Angel from Montgomery'. Warm and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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31Red Headed StrangerWillie Nelson
Red Headed Stranger
A spare, cinematic concept album that defied Nashville convention and became a landmark of outlaw country. Quiet and haunting. Proof less can be more.
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32American IV: The Man Comes AroundJohnny Cash
American IV: The Man Comes Around
A devastating late peak, home to a definitive cover of 'Hurt'. Raw and beloved. A profound farewell.
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33The Hissing of Summer LawnsJoni Mitchell
The Hissing of Summer Lawns
An ambitious, jazz-and-world-leaning peak of suburban critique. Bold and acclaimed. A grower among fans.
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34For the RosesJoni Mitchell
For the Roses
A reflective, jazz-leaning bridge in her catalogue. Beautiful and acclaimed. A grower among fans.
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35I'm Your ManLeonard Cohen
I'm Your Man
Cohen reinvents himself with synths and dark wit, from 'Everybody Knows' to 'Tower of Song'. Funny, bleak and brilliant. A late-career high.
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36Various PositionsLeonard Cohen
Various Positions
A warm, melodic record now famous for introducing 'Hallelujah'. Tuneful and beloved. A quiet landmark.
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37Rust Never SleepsNeil Young
Rust Never Sleeps
A two-sided acoustic-then-electric peak of restless energy. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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38Tonight's the NightNeil Young
Tonight's the Night
A raw, grief-soaked record of loss and ragged beauty. Harrowing and beloved. A cult favourite.
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39ZumaNeil Young
Zuma
A loose, electric Crazy Horse peak, home to 'Cortez the Killer'. Raw and beloved. A high point.
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40Grievous AngelGram Parsons
Grievous Angel
A tender, definitive country-rock record, his duets with Emmylou Harris luminous throughout. Beautiful and influential. A cosmic-country landmark.
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41GPGram Parsons
GP
A tender solo debut of cosmic country, with Emmylou Harris's harmonies. Warm and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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42Liege & LiefFairport Convention
Liege & Lief
A landmark that invented British folk-rock. Bold and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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43Solid AirJohn Martyn
Solid Air
A warm, jazzy folk landmark of slurred vocals and atmosphere. Singular and beloved. His masterpiece.
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44Basket of LightPentangle
Basket of Light
A peak of British folk-jazz fusion of intricate playing. Beautiful and beloved. A genre classic.
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45Just Another Diamond DayVashti Bunyan
Just Another Diamond Day
A fragile, pastoral folk gem ignored on release and later revered. Beautiful and beloved. A cult treasure.
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46I Want to See the Bright Lights TonightRichard & Linda Thompson
I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight
A peak of British folk-rock songcraft and harmony. Beautiful and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.
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47Closing TimeTom Waits
Closing Time
A tender, piano-led debut of late-night ballads, home to 'Ol' 55'. Warm and understated. A quiet classic.
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48SwordfishtrombonesTom Waits
Swordfishtrombones
A radical reinvention into clanking, experimental art-song that redefined his career. Bold and strange. A pivotal record.
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49Rain DogsTom Waits
Rain Dogs
A wild, junkyard-orchestra masterpiece of broken ballads and barroom experiments. Singular and brilliant. His defining record.
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50Mule VariationsTom Waits
Mule Variations
A grizzled, junkyard-blues comeback of beauty and grime. Warm and acclaimed. A late peak.
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51Sail AwayRandy Newman
Sail Away
A sharp, ironic song-cycle of American satire and lush arrangements. Clever and acclaimed. His masterpiece.
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52Nilsson SchmilssonHarry Nilsson
Nilsson Schmilsson
A tuneful, eclectic peak, home to 'Without You' and 'Coconut'. Witty and beloved. His commercial high.
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53Warren ZevonWarren Zevon
Warren Zevon
A sharp, literate singer-songwriter peak of dark wit. Clever and acclaimed. His breakthrough.
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54Late for the SkyJackson Browne
Late for the Sky
A reflective, beautifully written peak of California songcraft. Tender and acclaimed. His finest.
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55Time (The Revelator)Gillian Welch
Time (The Revelator)
A spare, haunting Americana landmark of voice and guitar. Beautiful and acclaimed. Her masterpiece.
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56Our Endless Numbered DaysIron & Wine
Our Endless Numbered Days
A warm, fuller-band step from the lo-fi debut. Gentle and beloved. A standout.
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57Helplessness BluesFleet Foxes
Helplessness Blues
More ambitious and searching than the debut, rich with harmony and questioning lyrics. Expansive and lovely. A folk high point.
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58I Love You, HoneybearFather John Misty
I Love You, Honeybear
A lush, sardonic and surprisingly sincere song-cycle about love and modern life. Witty and beautifully arranged. His breakthrough.
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59The Crane WifeThe Decemberists
The Crane Wife
An ambitious, literate indie-folk peak of storytelling. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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60Once I Was an EagleLaura Marling
Once I Was an Eagle
A sprawling, mature folk peak of literary depth. Beautiful and acclaimed. A creative high.
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61ODamien Rice
O
A raw, intimate folk debut of heartbreak, home to 'The Blower's Daughter'. Tender and beloved. A breakthrough.
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62Titanic RisingWeyes Blood
Titanic Rising
A gorgeous, orchestral chamber-pop record of climate dread and longing. Lush and acclaimed. A modern folk-pop high point.
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63CloudsJoni Mitchell
Clouds
An early folk peak, home to 'Both Sides, Now'. Beautiful and beloved. A high point.
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64New Skin for the Old CeremonyLeonard Cohen
New Skin for the Old Ceremony
A literate, intricate peak of dark wit. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.
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65You Want It DarkerLeonard Cohen
You Want It Darker
A graceful, mortality-haunted final album. Powerful and acclaimed. A profound farewell.
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66Tupelo HoneyVan Morrison
Tupelo Honey
A warm, pastoral peak of soulful folk-rock. Gentle and beloved. A high point.
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67Veedon FleeceVan Morrison
Veedon Fleece
A mystical, underrated peak of free-flowing Celtic soul. Beautiful and acclaimed. A cult favourite.
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68Teaser and the FirecatCat Stevens
Teaser and the Firecat
A tuneful peak, home to 'Morning Has Broken' and 'Peace Train'. Warm and beloved. A high point.
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69Mud Slide Slim and the Blue HorizonJames Taylor
Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon
A warm, gentle peak, home to 'You've Got a Friend'. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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70Diamonds & RustJoan Baez
Diamonds & Rust
A mature peak, home to its autobiographical title song. Beautiful and acclaimed. Her finest.
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71Judee SillJudee Sill
Judee Sill
A gorgeous, gospel-tinged folk debut of overlooked genius. Beautiful and acclaimed. A cult treasure.
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72Happy SadTim Buckley
Happy Sad
A jazzy, exploratory folk peak of fluid beauty. Adventurous and acclaimed. A high point.
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73Townes Van ZandtTownes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
A spare, devastating record of peerless songwriting. Beautiful and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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74Sweet RevengeJohn Prine
Sweet Revenge
A wry, warm peak of perfect songwriting. Funny and beloved. A high point.
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75Bert JanschBert Jansch
Bert Jansch
A landmark British folk-guitar debut. Influential and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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76UnhalfbrickingFairport Convention
Unhalfbricking
A pivotal record bridging folk and rock, home to 'Who Knows Where the Time Goes?'. Beautiful and influential. A landmark.
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77Small ChangeTom Waits
Small Change
A boozy, jazzy peak of late-night ballads and barroom poetry. Warm and acclaimed. A high point.
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78Blue ValentineTom Waits
Blue Valentine
A noir-ish, late-night peak of barroom ballads. Warm and acclaimed. A high point.
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79Bone MachineTom Waits
Bone Machine
A clattering, percussive peak of apocalyptic art-song. Bold and Grammy-winning. A creative high.
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80Tracy ChapmanTracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
A spare, powerful debut of social conscience, home to 'Fast Car'. Direct and beloved. A landmark.
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81The Shepherd's DogIron & Wine
The Shepherd's Dog
A richer, more rhythmic folk peak of layered arrangement. Warm and acclaimed. A high point.
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82ShoreFleet Foxes
Shore
A warm, reflective return of layered folk beauty. Gorgeous and acclaimed. A late peak.
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8322, A MillionBon Iver
22, A Million
A glitchy, fractured electronic reinvention of the folk sound. Bold and acclaimed. A daring pivot.
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84Seven SwansSufjan Stevens
Seven Swans
A hushed, banjo-led record of faith and intimacy. Gentle and beloved. A quiet favourite.
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85The Age of AdzSufjan Stevens
The Age of Adz
A maximal, electronic turn from the hushed folk of Illinois. Bold and acclaimed. A creative swerve.
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86Pure ComedyFather John Misty
Pure Comedy
A sweeping, sardonic song-cycle on humanity and modern life. Ambitious and acclaimed. A bold statement.
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87PicaresqueThe Decemberists
Picaresque
A witty, literate indie-folk peak of narrative songcraft. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.
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88YsJoanna Newsom
Ys
An ambitious, orchestral harp-and-voice song-cycle of literary depth. Singular and acclaimed. A bold masterpiece.
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89RevivalGillian Welch
Revival
A spare, traditional Americana debut of timeless craft. Beautiful and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.
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90MuchachoPhosphorescent
Muchacho
A warm, atmospheric Americana peak. Beautiful and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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91The Wild HuntThe Tallest Man on Earth
The Wild Hunt
A spare, Dylan-esque folk peak of raw intimacy. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.
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92songsAdrianne Lenker
songs
A hushed, intimate solo folk record of fragile beauty. Singular and acclaimed. A standout.
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93Saint CloudWaxahatchee
Saint Cloud
A warm, clear-eyed Americana record of sobriety and renewal. Direct and beloved. Her finest work.
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94SoutheasternJason Isbell
Southeastern
A raw, sober Americana peak of vivid storytelling. Honest and acclaimed. His masterpiece.
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95Burn Your Fire for No WitnessAngel Olsen
Burn Your Fire for No Witness
A raw, electric indie-folk peak of fierce emotion. Bold and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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96And in the Darkness, Hearts AglowWeyes Blood
And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow
A lush, orchestral companion to Titanic Rising. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.
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97Rough and Rowdy WaysBob Dylan
Rough and Rowdy Ways
A rich, unhurried late-career triumph, full of wit, mortality and the sprawling 'Murder Most Foul'. Dylan's writing is as sharp as ever. Proof of a master still working at the height of his powers.
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98Harvest MoonNeil Young
Harvest Moon
A warm, autumnal sequel to Harvest of gentle reflection. Beloved and acclaimed. A late favourite.
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99Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and ThymeSimon & Garfunkel
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme
A peak of intricate, literate folk-pop. Beautiful and beloved. A high point.
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100Paul SimonPaul Simon
Paul Simon
An eclectic, tuneful solo debut blending styles with ease. Warm and beloved. A strong start.
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101Still Crazy After All These YearsPaul Simon
Still Crazy After All These Years
A polished, jazzy peak of mature songcraft. Tuneful and acclaimed. A Grammy-winning high.
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102AliceTom Waits
Alice
A haunting, theatrical song-cycle of broken beauty. Beautiful and acclaimed. A cult favourite.
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103In My Own TimeKaren Dalton
In My Own Time
A haunting, soulful folk peak of a singular voice. Beautiful and reappraised. A cult treasure.
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104No OtherGene Clark
No Other
A lavish, cosmic-Americana cult masterpiece ignored on release. Beautiful and reappraised. A treasure.
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105The Gilded Palace of SinThe Flying Burrito Brothers
The Gilded Palace of Sin
A foundational country-rock landmark led by Gram Parsons. Beautiful and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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106Wrecking BallEmmylou Harris
Wrecking Ball
A lush, Daniel Lanois-produced reinvention of atmospheric Americana. Bold and acclaimed. A creative peak.
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107StardustWillie Nelson
Stardust
A surprising, beloved collection of pop standards in Willie's warm phrasing. Smooth and acclaimed. A crossover classic.
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108At San QuentinJohnny Cash
At San Quentin
A raw, charismatic prison live record, home to 'A Boy Named Sue'. Electric and beloved. A live landmark.
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109American RecordingsJohnny Cash
American Recordings
A stark, voice-and-guitar comeback produced by Rick Rubin. Raw and beloved. A late-career landmark.
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110Beast EpicIron & Wine
Beast Epic
A warm, mature folk peak of gentle craft. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.
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111ApocalypseBill Callahan
Apocalypse
A spare, wry folk peak of deadpan depth. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.
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112The Milk-Eyed MenderJoanna Newsom
The Milk-Eyed Mender
A startling harp-and-voice debut of idiosyncratic folk. Singular and acclaimed. A cult landmark.
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113Chloe and the Next 20th CenturyFather John Misty
Chloe and the Next 20th Century
A lush, old-Hollywood-tinged song-cycle. Sophisticated and acclaimed. A creative high.
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114I Speak Because I CanLaura Marling
I Speak Because I Can
A mature, literate folk peak. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.
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115Semper FeminaLaura Marling
Semper Femina
A graceful, intimate folk peak. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.
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116Sigh No MoreMumford & Sons
Sigh No More
A rousing, banjo-driven folk-rock debut that sparked a revival. Anthemic and huge. A breakthrough.
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117BabelMumford & Sons
Babel
A bigger, anthemic follow-up that swept the Grammys. Rousing and huge. A commercial peak.
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118The LumineersThe Lumineers
The Lumineers
A warm, stomp-along folk-pop debut, home to 'Ho Hey'. Tuneful and beloved. A breakthrough.
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119The Lion's RoarFirst Aid Kit
The Lion's Roar
A harmony-rich folk peak of Swedish-Americana beauty. Warm and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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120CapacityBig Thief
Capacity
A tender, intimate indie-folk peak of vivid songwriting. Warm and acclaimed. A standout.
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121Stranger in the AlpsPhoebe Bridgers
Stranger in the Alps
A hushed, melancholic indie-folk debut. Intimate and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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122Sprained AnkleJulien Baker
Sprained Ankle
A spare, devastating solo debut of voice and guitar. Intimate and acclaimed. A striking arrival.
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123Turn Out the LightsJulien Baker
Turn Out the Lights
A spare, devastating indie-folk record of faith and pain. Intimate and acclaimed. A quiet peak.
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124HistorianLucy Dacus
Historian
A literate, melodic indie peak of memory and grief. Warm and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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125Home VideoLucy Dacus
Home Video
A literate, melodic indie record of memory and adolescence. Warm and acclaimed. A standout.
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126LushSnail Mail
Lush
A sharp, melodic indie-rock debut of teenage clarity. Tuneful and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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127DesignerAldous Harding
Designer
A spare, idiosyncratic art-folk peak. Singular and acclaimed. A high point.
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128VeneerJose Gonzalez
Veneer
A hushed, fingerpicked folk debut of gentle beauty. Intimate and beloved. A breakthrough.
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129The Magnolia Electric Co.Songs: Ohia
The Magnolia Electric Co.
A raw, country-rock peak of Jason Molina's haunted songwriting. Powerful and beloved. A cult masterpiece.