The albums that define
neofolk.
Our picks for where to start with neofolk — with a one-line read on why each one matters.
Top neofolk artists
Start with one of these.
The neofolk essentials
Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.
Swans
Soundtracks for the Blind
A sprawling, atmospheric soundscape intertwining haunting melodies with relentless, abrasive textures.
Start here
Burzum
Umskiptar
A haunting blend of dark ambient soundscapes and traditional Nordic elements that evoke ancient mythologies.
Start here
Burzum
Fallen
Atmospheric soundscapes blend with haunting melodies, reflecting a meditative yet eerie exploration of darkness.
Start here
Current 93
Sleep Has His House
A haunting tapestry of whispered verses and intricate acoustic melodies laced with themes of dream and existential reflection.
Start here
Current 93
The Light Is Leaving Us All
Haunting neofolk melodies intertwine with poetic lyrics, evoking a sense of melancholic reflection and existential contemplation.
Start here
Swans
What Is This?
A haunting exploration of soundscapes marked by dissonant melodies and profound introspection.
Start here
Ulver
Vargnatt
A haunting fusion of black metal and atmospheric soundscapes that evokes the mystique of Norse mythology.
Start here
Ulver
1993–2003: 1st Decade in the Machines
A haunting tapestry of soundscapes blending metal, electronics, and ethereal vocals wrapped in atmospheric experimentation.
Start here
Aquarium
Sinii Albom
A kaleidoscopic blend of art rock and folk infused with experimental elements and introspective lyricism.
Start here
Aquarium
Navigator (Aquarium album)
Eclectic melodies intertwine with poetic lyrics, creating a rich tapestry of sound that defies genre boundaries.
Start here
Death in June
Free Tibet
Eerie soundscapes blend haunting melodies and stark vocals, exploring themes of loss and existential reflection.
Start here
Death in June
Burial
Eerie acoustic soundscapes intertwine with haunting vocals, creating an atmosphere of introspection and unease.
Start here
Omnia
Sine Missione
A richly woven tapestry of medieval melodies and contemporary rhythms that evoke ancient pagan rituals.
Start here
Agalloch
The White
A haunting blend of atmospheric melodies and dark, introspective themes that evoke a sense of existential yearning.
Start here
Agalloch
The Silence of Forgotten Landscapes
Ethereal soundscapes intertwine with haunting melodies, capturing the essence of nature's beauty and decay.
Start here
Wardruna
Runaljod – Gap Var Ginnunga
Ancient Nordic sounds intertwine with natural elements, creating an immersive auditory journey through the mythology of the North.
Start here
Wardruna
Runaljod - Ragnarok
A haunting blend of ancient Nordic sounds and contemporary ambient textures that evokes a mystical landscape.
Start here
Of the Wand & the Moon
The Lone Descent
Dark, atmospheric neofolk melodies intertwine with haunting vocals and evocative lyrical imagery.
Start here
Sopor Aeternus & the Ensemble of Shadows
The Spiral Sacrifice
Haunting melodies entwine with dark, theatrical elements, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere of melancholy and introspection.
Start here
Sopor Aeternus & the Ensemble of Shadows
Voyager: The Jugglers of Jusa
A haunting blend of ethereal melodies and dark, introspective themes draped in gothic elegance.
Start here
Qntal
Qntal III – Tristan und Isolde
A haunting blend of medieval melodies and modern dark wave textures, steeped in romantic tragedy.
Start here
Qntal
Qntal
A haunting blend of medieval melodies and dark electronic textures envelops the listener in a gothic soundscape.
Start here
Matt Elliott
Little Lost Soul
Ethereal soundscapes blend with haunting vocals, creating an immersive journey through loss and introspection.
Start here
Matt Elliott
Semtex
A haunting blend of ambient soundscapes and folk-inspired melodies that evoke deep introspection.
Start here