I love listening to indie folk music when I want to chill out. Among the many genres one can choose for this purpose, I think indie folk is one of the best options. With its organic sound and ethereal vibes, this style of music can create the perfect atmosphere for relaxing, allowing you to forget the world and enjoy the moment.

If you’re not familiar with this genre yet and want to learn more about it, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, I’m going to share with you a list of my favorite indie folk artists. My goal is to give you some good recommendations so that you can start exploring the fascinating world of indie folk music today.

Here we go!

Follow me on social media

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest

Sufjan Stevens

Sufjan Stevens is one of the best indie folk artists of the last few decades. His work is characterized for his creative and innovative approach to music. With songs like “Mystery of Love” and “Fourth of July”, Sufjan Stevens’s music stands out for its poignant and introspective lyrics, prodigious arrangements, and bittersweet melodies.

One of the things that I like the most about Sufjan Stevens is the way he creates his records. Here are some albums that I recommend from his catalog:

• Carrie & Lowell (2015)
• Seven Swans (2004)
• Illinois (2005)
• Michigan (2003)
• Javelin (2023)

Lord Huron

Lord Huron is a wonderful indie folk band from Los Angeles, California. Their music offers listeners a dynamic catalog of songs that will awaken in them a variety of feelings. For example, songs like “The Night We Met” call forth feelings of melancholy, while others like “Ends of the Earth” evoke a sense of adventure and contemplation.

With that in mind, some of their albums that I recommend include:

• Lonesome Dreams (2012)
• Strange Trails (2015)
• Long Lost (2021)

Bon Iver

Bon Iver is an indie folk band everyone should pay attention to. The songs they write have everything it takes to resonate deeply with their listeners. From unique lyrics to the ethereal chord progressions, Bon Iver’s music gathers all the elements needed to create a cathartic and liberating experience.

Assuming that you want to give their music a try, here’s Bon Iver’s discography ranked from best to “less best”:

• For Emma, Forever Ago (2007)
• i,i (2019)
• Bon Iver, Bon Iver (2011)
• 22, A Million (2016)

Beirut

Personally, I love listening to Beirut. While their music doesn’t seem to follow strict genre conventions, I consider them to be one of the best indie folk bands of all. The way they combine elements of world music and indie rock always gives good results, offering listeners an impeccable musical experience they will thoroughly enjoy.

That said, here are my favorite albums recorded by Beirut:

• The Flying Club Cup (2007)
• Hadsel (2023)
• Gulag Orkestar (2006)

Iron & Wine

This list would be incomplete without mentioning Iron & Wine. This singer-songwriter has all the qualities a good indie folk artist must have. With songs like “A House by the Sea” and “Cinder and Smoke”, Iron & Wine’s music stands out for its intimate songwriting, its beautiful melodies, and Sam Beam’s distinctive voice.

Some of the best albums made by Iron & Wine include:

• The Shepherd’s Dog (2007)
• Our Endless Numbered Days (2004)
• Ghost on Ghost (2013)
• The Creek Drank the Cradle (2002)

Final thoughts

Now that you know some of the indie folk artists you can listen to, I would love to know what you think. Which of these artists captured your attention the most? Did you know any of these artists before reading this blog post? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section. There are no wrong answers!