Why folk-pop is becoming mainstream.
The world of music is constantly changing. Genres such as folk-pop, indie-folk, and country music are currently experiencing a real cultural hype. The folk-pop scene in particular seems to be gaining in popularity, especially among younger audiences such as Gen Z.
These genres are also increasingly mixing with other genres to create a whole new sound. Gracie Abrams, Noah Kahan, and Tyler Childers are just a few of the artists who can be classified as folk-pop, among others.
The reasons for such hype are complex, but in this article we'll provide some insight into the phenomenon and explain what folk-pop is all about and why the genre might have experienced such growth in recent years.
What Is Folk-Pop?
It would be wrong to reduce the hyped genre to folk-pop alone, as many artists' works are a mixture of several genres. Nevertheless, most songs contain clear influences, especially from the folk and pop genres.
The first folk songs from Scotland, Ireland, and England were developed and shaped over time by many other cultures and later reached the USA. The term "folk" took on a new meaning when, starting in the 1920s, radio and records spread regional, mostly rural music throughout the United States, which later developed into its own musical genres such as jazz and country. In the 1950s and 1960s, the so-called urban folk movement took place, reviving the genre.
Pop music, on the other hand, is simply a term for the broad genre of "popular music". Above all, the genre is characterized by catchy melodies and commercial success.
Folk-pop includes both traditional folk elements such as acoustic guitars and storytelling, as well as the use of catchy pop melodies and modern production. The songs often focus on personal experiences, meaningful messages, and authentic storytelling. Such songs frequently deal with heartbreak or social conflicts, yet they are usually accompanied by a cheerful melody.
Folk-pop also includes what is known as stomp-clap-hey music, which is characterized by songs that start slowly and are accompanied by only a few instruments, then build in rhythm. A good example of this is Noah Kahan's song "Your Needs, My Needs".
Famous Folk-Pop Artists
In the 2010s, the folk-pop genre experienced a strong revival thanks to successful bands such as Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers. It has been making a comeback for a few years now – not only thanks to Noah Kahan, but also to artists such as The Strumbellas, Shawn Mendes, and Wild Rivers, who bring their own authentic style to folk-pop.
The song "Ho Hey" by The Lumineers, for example, is considered typical stomp-clap-hey music. Other examples for folk-pop songs are "Never Better" by Wild Rivers, "Why Why Why" by Shawn Mendes, and "Great Unknown" by The Strumbellas. Artists such as The Head and the Heart and Tyler Childers also belong to this genre. Phoebe Bridgers and Bon Iver are also contributing significantly to the revival of the genre.
Many artists draw on several genres and blend them to create their own unique sound. Taylor Swift, for example, is known for incorporating many folk-pop elements into her songs, but also elements from genres such as country, pop, and rock. Gracie Abrams blends indie-pop with folk-pop and several other subgenres. Zach Bryan combines country music with folk music in well-known songs such as "Something in the Orange" and "I Remember Everything".
Noah Kahan is a big name in folk-pop and is now known beyond fans of the genre. In 2024, he landed in the top 10 of the Billboard charts with his song "Stick Season," which has now racked up a total of 1.6 billion streams on Spotify.
The Main Reasons For The Folk-Pop Hype
There are many opinions on why the folk-pop genre has been experiencing such hype for some time now. We have summarized the main reasons for you.
Relatable Narratives
As previously mentioned, songs in this genre often address universal themes such as love, loss, belonging, and social conflicts. Many individuals can relate not only to the lyrics but also to the artists who wrote them, as their narratives make them appear more relatable and authentic.
A Mix Of Several Genres
The genre appeals to a wide audience by combining the emotional depth of folk music with the catchy accessibility of pop music. Songs in this genre are not only beautiful to listen to, they also bring people together and encourage them to sing along and reflect.
The Audience
Generation Z in particular seems to be fans of folk-pop music at the moment, presumably because they can relate to its values and themes. Many musicians in this genre have been singing about social and political issues in their songs for years, expressing what is on their listeners' minds. This attracts a large target audience to the music.
Crossover With Other Artists
Thanks to many joint performances with other well-known singers, the hype is spreading beyond his own boundaries. Such crossovers are often seen at festivals or concerts by famous artists. Noah Kahan, for example, sang with Olivia Rodrigo during her GUTS world tour at Madison Square Garden in New York. Together they sang his hit "Stick Season."
Social Media
This is probably one of the most obvious points: many well-known folk-pop songs and artists became famous because they experienced hype on platforms such as TikTok and ultimately made the leap into the mainstream scene.
Some Beautiful Quotes From The Folk-Pop Genre
Finally, we would like to leave you with some typical, beautiful, and thought-provoking quotes from songs from the folk-pop scene.
"I’m still angry at my parents, for what their parents did to them, but it’s a start. But I ignore things, and I move sideways. ‘Till I forget, what I felt in the first place." – Noah Kahan in Growing Sideways
"In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die. Where you invest your love, you invest your life." Mumford & Sons in Awake My Soul
"I've done good and I have lied. I've learned to swallow all my pride." – The Strumbellas in Great Unknown
"The past is fading over time, but it's still hanging on for life." – Tyler Childers in Tattoos
"Nothin' happened in the way I wanted. Every corner of this house is haunted. And I know you said that we're not talkin'. But I miss you, I'm sorry." – Gracie Abrams in I Miss You, I’m Sorry
"Don’t let the darkness fool you, all lights turned off can be turned on." – Noah Kahan in Call Your Mom
What are your favorite folk-pop lyrics? Let us know in the comments!