Essential folktronica listening

The albums that define folktronica.

Our picks for where to start with folktronica — with a one-line read on why each one matters.

The folktronica essentials

Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.

What Happened to the Heart?

AURORA

What Happened to the Heart?

Ethereal synths intertwine with haunting vocals, creating a dreamlike soundscape that explores the depths of emotion and identity.

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All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend

AURORA

All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend

Ethereal vocals weave through haunting melodies, blending pop sensibilities with Nordic folk influences.

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Cherry

Dan Snaith

Cherry

Ethereal soundscapes intertwine with rhythmic beats, creating a lush and immersive auditory journey.

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Geogaddi

Boards of Canada

Geogaddi

A haunting blend of analog warmth and eerie nostalgia, encapsulating the feeling of lost childhood memories.

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Music Has the Right to Children

Boards of Canada

Music Has the Right to Children

A nostalgic soundscape woven with haunting melodies and intricate textures that evoke childhood memories.

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The Campfire Headphase

Boards of Canada

The Campfire Headphase

A dreamy tapestry of nostalgic soundscapes woven with melodic intricacy and organic textures.

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Tomorrow's Harvest

Boards of Canada

Tomorrow's Harvest

A haunting exploration of nostalgia wrapped in hazy synth landscapes and intricate rhythms that evoke a sense of unease.

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In a Beautiful Place Out in the Country

Boards of Canada

In a Beautiful Place Out in the Country

Ethereal soundscapes weave through nostalgic melodies, creating a serene yet haunting auditory experience.

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Trans Canada Highway

Boards of Canada

Trans Canada Highway

Lush soundscapes blend nostalgic samples and hypnotic rhythms, creating an ethereal journey through memory and nature.

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Hi Scores

Boards of Canada

Hi Scores

A nostalgic journey through ethereal soundscapes and intricate rhythms that evoke memories of distant landscapes.

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Peel Session

Boards of Canada

Peel Session

Ethereal soundscapes blend with intricate rhythms, creating a mesmerizing auditory journey through nostalgia and the natural world.

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Twoism

Boards of Canada

Twoism

A nostalgic soundscape woven with hazy melodies and intricate rhythms that evoke childhood memories.

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Sadnecessary

Milky Chance

Sadnecessary

A fusion of folktronica and indie pop that effortlessly weaves melancholy melodies with rhythmic grooves.

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Central Reservation

Beth Orton

Central Reservation

A dreamy fusion of folk and electronic sounds that evokes introspective journeys through life's complexities.

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20 Vodka Jellies

Momus

20 Vodka Jellies

A whimsical blend of lo-fi pop and avant-garde storytelling woven through electronic and acoustic textures.

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Ping Pong

Momus

Ping Pong

A quirky blend of lo-fi pop and electronic whimsy, filled with surreal narratives and playful experimentation.

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Joli Mai

Dan Snaith

Joli Mai

A kaleidoscopic blend of electronic textures and organic melodies that invites introspection and movement.

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Swim

Dan Snaith

Swim

Ethereal melodies intertwine with pulsating beats, crafting a dreamlike soundscape that invites listeners to lose themselves in its flow.

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Ellipse

Imogen Heap

Ellipse

A lush tapestry of ethereal vocals and electronic textures, blending ambient soundscapes with introspective lyricism.

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Our Love

Dan Snaith

Our Love

A shimmering tapestry of deep house beats and ethereal melodies that evoke emotional depth and nostalgia.

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Start Breaking My Heart

Dan Snaith

Start Breaking My Heart

A vibrant mix of dreamy melodies and intricate beats that blurs the lines between genres.

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Jiaolong

Dan Snaith

Jiaolong

A vibrant collage of rhythmic grooves, layered melodies, and hypnotic loops that merge electronic and organic sounds.

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The Milk of Human Kindness

Dan Snaith

The Milk of Human Kindness

A kaleidoscopic blend of electronic textures and organic melodies that evokes a sense of dreamy exploration.

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Andorra

Dan Snaith

Andorra

A kaleidoscopic blend of electronic textures and dreamlike melodies that evoke a sense of nostalgia and reverie.

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