Soft Folk-Pop

History

This lane grew beside the broader indie folk-pop boom but leaned away from stomp theatrics toward lull, glide, and emotional softness. Angus & Julia Stone, Birdy, Ben Howard, Hollow Coves, the Paper Kites, and the Weepies helped define a style built for late-night playlists, reflective montage, and easy emotional access.

Defining artists

• Angus & Julia StoneSpotifyYouTube
• BirdySpotifyYouTube
• Ben HowardSpotifyYouTube
• Hollow CovesSpotifyYouTube
• The Paper KitesSpotifyYouTube
• The WeepiesSpotifyYouTube

Essential listening

• Big Jet Plane — Angus & Julia StoneSpotifyYouTube
• Wings — BirdySpotifyYouTube
• Only Love — Ben HowardSpotifyYouTube
• The Woods — Hollow CovesSpotifyYouTube
• Bloom — The Paper KitesSpotifyYouTube
• World Spins Madly On — The WeepiesSpotifyYouTube

Sources

• Rolling Stone, "The Biggest Influences on Pop in the 2010s"
• Rolling Stone, "Mumford & Sons and the Lumineers Are Done Stompin'"
• GRAMMY, "Noah Kahan's Big Year"
• American Songwriter, "5 Indie Folk Albums That Shaped the 2010s Music Scene." citeturn5search12turn5search2turn5search3turn1search7