Contemporary Folk · GenresWhat is contemporary folk?
Starting in the mid-20th century a new form of popular folk music evolved from traditional folk music. This process and period is called the (second) folk revival and reached a zenith in the 1960s.
About contemporary folk
The most common name for this new form of music is also "folk music", but is often called "contemporary folk music" or "folk revival music" to make the distinction. This type of folk music also includes fusion genres such as folk rock, electric folk, and others.
From Last.fm, where 1,324 listeners have tagged music as contemporary folk.
Artists to start with
Albums to hear first
songs
Bright Future
Benji
Admiral Fell Promises
Confesiones De Invierno
On Your Own Love Again
The Great Impersonator (Deluxe)
Chemtrails Over the Country ClubContemporary Folk songs
- we'll never have sex by Leith Ross
- New Slang - 2021 Remaster by The Shins
- Visions of Gideon by Sufjan Stevens
- Rosyln by Bon Iver
- いきのこり●ぼくら by Ichiko Aoba
- Mystery of Love by Sufjan Stevens
- TV by Billie Eilish
- Leave a Light On by Tom Walker
- enough for you by Olivia Rodrigo
- The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot
Neighbouring genres
In the folk & country family. All genres
countryamericanabluegrassalt-countrycountry rockcountry popchamber folkacoustic rockavant-folkdark folkapocalyptic folkfolk rockQuestions
- What is contemporary folk?
- Starting in the mid-20th century a new form of popular folk music evolved from traditional folk music. This process and period is called the (second) folk revival and reached a zenith in the 1960s. The most common name for this new form of music is also "folk music", but is often called "contemporary folk music" or "folk revival music" to make the distinction.
- Who are the best-known contemporary folk artists?
- By Last.fm listening: Adrianne Lenker, Ichiko Aoba, Cameron Winter, surrenderdorothy, Sam Lee and David Kauffman.
- What genres are similar to contemporary folk?
- On Risocast it sits with country, americana, bluegrass, alt-country, country rock and country pop.
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Updated 6 October 2026
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