The trend of pop music artists transitioning into the folk genre has overcome the music industry. The folk revival, brought back by Taylor Swift with her release of “Folklore” in 2020, has inspired countless other artists to abandon their spots in the world of pop and attempt to pursue folk. This revival has renewed appreciation for the genre and replaced many pop songs in the Billboard Hot 100 with folk songs.
Folk-pop has been declining in popularity since the 1960s, which is when notable folk artists such as Bob Dylan and Simon and Garfunkel lost their popularity. Recently, however, folk-pop has had a steady increase of listeners.
The revival was propelled by Swift’s album “Folklore” in 2020, which stayed eight consecutive weeks as number one on the Billboard Hot 200. Although she brought listeners to the genre though, folk-pop never truly disappeared. The Lumineers, Head and the Heart, Mumford and Sons and more, have set the modern foundation for folk-pop. However, with the world-wide resurgence of the genre, many solely pop artists have transitioned into folk-pop to keep up with the trend.
Categorized by acoustics and storytelling components, the folk resurgence began from the need to be taken seriously in the industry. Many think that radio hits and catchy pop songs target children and teenagers. Sabrina Carpenter is a prime example of this, as parents seem to think that because she was a former Disney star who produces popular songs, she is appropriate for children. This could not be further from the truth, which is why many artists are straying away from pop music.
Shawn Mendes, known for his radio hits, such as “Mercy,” “Stitches” and “Señorita,” made the transition in his self-titled album, released this year. Shocking the public, Mendes produced an album entirely different from his previous music, largely composed of acoustic sound, soft singing and a storytelling aspect.
Generation Z has deemed folk-pop the current trending genre, popularizing indie music artists like Lizzy McAlpine, Phoebe Bridgers and Noah Kahan. Folk music allows for listeners to deeply connect with the artist and other listeners, as it is composed of vulnerability and large ideas. The importance of the lyrics combined with the accessibility of folk played a large role in making folk music mainstream.
Pop music has worn out, constantly using repeated choruses and similar tempos. Folk-pop allows for pop artists to try new styles and find their calling, producing music for their listeners while expanding their palates. Though folk was once niche, artists such as Zach Bryan and Noah Kahan continually reside in Billboard charts, allowing folk music to continually be on the rise.
Though pop music is still beloved, artists seem to find more freedom in folk, diversifying their discography and turning it into something accessible for all. Folk songs deeply resonate with listeners, whether that be due to their lyrics or the strum of guitar in them. The transition from pop to folk music has taken over the charts and teens’ playlists.
