Freak Folk · GenresWhat is freak folk?
Freak folk is a type of Psychedelic Folk which emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s among artists associated with the New Weird America movement. It draws from a wide range of influences, with a particular interest in 1960s hippie acid folk, other New Weird America bands, as well as elements of traditional folk music.
About freak folk
Freak folk tends to favour finger-picked instruments like acoustic guitar, ukulele or harp, as well as toy instruments, but it can also add electric or electronic instrumentation more typical of Rock music.
From Last.fm, where 10,162 listeners have tagged music as freak folk.
Artists to start with
Albums to hear first
Sung Tongs
Prospect Hummer
First Utterance
The Milk-Eyed Mender
Noah's Ark
Viator
Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon
School of the FlowerFreak Folk songs
- Who Could Win a Rabbit by Animal Collective
- For Reverend Green by Animal Collective
- Grass by Animal Collective
- Leaf House by Animal Collective
- Winters Love by Animal Collective
- Derek by Animal Collective
- The Softest Voice by Animal Collective
- Did You See the Words by Animal Collective
- Peach, Plum, Pear by Joanna Newsom
- Banshee Beat by Animal Collective
Freak Folk on Risocast
VeckatimestGrizzly Bear · 2009
Yellow HouseGrizzly Bear · 2006
Painting WithAnimal Collective · 2016
Springtime CarnivoreSpringtime Carnivore · 2014
Fantasias for Violin & GuitarMaarja Nuut, Sun Araw · 2020
Neighbouring genres
In the folk & country family. All genres
countryamericanabluegrassalt-countrycountry rockcountry popchamber folkacoustic rockavant-folkdark folkapocalyptic folkcontemporary folkQuestions
- What is freak folk?
- Freak folk is a type of Psychedelic Folk which emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s among artists associated with the New Weird America movement. It draws from a wide range of influences, with a particular interest in 1960s hippie acid folk, other New Weird America bands, as well as elements of traditional folk music. Freak folk tends to favour finger-picked instruments like acoustic guitar, ukulele or harp, as well as toy instruments, but it can also add electric or electronic instrumentation more typical of Rock music.
- Who are the best-known freak folk artists?
- By Last.fm listening: Animal Collective, Tune-Yards, Devendra Banhart, Panda Bear, Vashti Bunyan and Exuma.
- What genres are similar to freak 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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