Best Indie Folk Albums

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   Fleet FoxesFleet Foxes

   Fleet Foxes

   Fleet Foxes · 2008 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

   A lush, harmony-drenched debut of pastoral baroque folk. Timeless and beautiful. A defining record of its indie moment.

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   Carrie & LowellSufjan Stevens

   Carrie & Lowell

   Sufjan Stevens · 2015 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

   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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   YsJoanna Newsom

   Ys

   Joanna Newsom · 2006 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

   An ambitious, orchestral harp-and-voice song-cycle of literary depth. Singular and acclaimed. A bold masterpiece.

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   For Emma, Forever AgoBon Iver

   For Emma, Forever Ago

   Bon Iver · 2007 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

   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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5. 5
   IllinoisSufjan Stevens

   Illinois

   Sufjan Stevens · 2005 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

   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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   Bon Iver, Bon IverBon Iver

   Bon Iver, Bon Iver

   Bon Iver · 2011 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

   A lush, layered second album that expanded the hushed debut into widescreen beauty. Gorgeous and Grammy-winning. A peak.

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   Our Endless Numbered DaysIron & Wine

   Our Endless Numbered Days

   Iron & Wine · 2004 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

   A warm, fuller-band step from the lo-fi debut. Gentle and beloved. A standout.

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   Helplessness BluesFleet Foxes

   Helplessness Blues

   Fleet Foxes · 2011 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

   More ambitious and searching than the debut, rich with harmony and questioning lyrics. Expansive and lovely. A folk high point.

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   Titanic RisingWeyes Blood

   Titanic Rising

   Weyes Blood · 2019 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

   A gorgeous, orchestral chamber-pop record of climate dread and longing. Lush and acclaimed. A modern folk-pop high point.

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    The Shepherd's DogIron & Wine

    The Shepherd's Dog

    Iron & Wine · 2007 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A richer, more rhythmic folk peak of layered arrangement. Warm and acclaimed. A high point.

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    ShoreFleet Foxes

    Shore

    Fleet Foxes · 2020 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A warm, reflective return of layered folk beauty. Gorgeous and acclaimed. A late peak.

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    22, A MillionBon Iver

    22, A Million

    Bon Iver · 2016 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A glitchy, fractured electronic reinvention of the folk sound. Bold and acclaimed. A daring pivot.

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    Seven SwansSufjan Stevens

    Seven Swans

    Sufjan Stevens · 2004 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A hushed, banjo-led record of faith and intimacy. Gentle and beloved. A quiet favourite.

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    The Age of AdzSufjan Stevens

    The Age of Adz

    Sufjan Stevens · 2010 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A maximal, electronic turn from the hushed folk of Illinois. Bold and acclaimed. A creative swerve.

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    songsAdrianne Lenker

    songs

    Adrianne Lenker · 2020 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A hushed, intimate solo folk record of fragile beauty. Singular and acclaimed. A standout.

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    Saint CloudWaxahatchee

    Saint Cloud

    Waxahatchee · 2020 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A warm, clear-eyed Americana record of sobriety and renewal. Direct and beloved. Her finest work.

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    And in the Darkness, Hearts AglowWeyes Blood

    And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow

    Weyes Blood · 2022 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A lush, orchestral companion to Titanic Rising. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.

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    Beast EpicIron & Wine

    Beast Epic

    Iron & Wine · 2017 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A warm, mature folk peak of gentle craft. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.

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    CapacityBig Thief

    Capacity

    Big Thief · 2017 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A tender, intimate indie-folk peak of vivid songwriting. Warm and acclaimed. A standout.

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    Stranger in the AlpsPhoebe Bridgers

    Stranger in the Alps

    Phoebe Bridgers · 2017 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A hushed, melancholic indie-folk debut. Intimate and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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    The Milk-Eyed MenderJoanna Newsom

    The Milk-Eyed Mender

    Joanna Newsom · 2004 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A startling harp-and-voice debut of idiosyncratic folk. Singular and acclaimed. A cult landmark.

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