Masuk Free Press

Over the past year or so I have dedicated most of my listening time on Spotify to artists I had no previous encounters with. It took sacrifice with the many losses to my Spotify Wrapped of beloved artists I had to listen to less because of my new endeavor. However, through this experience, I have found so many songs and artists to love that I have no one to talk about with. So I’m going to put y’all on.

For fans of…

• Phoebe Bridgers, Lizzy McAlpine:
  • “Martingale” by Searows
    • The first time I heard this track, I genuinely thought it was Phoebe Bridgers. It’s got that ethereal, stripped-back vibe that really makes you feel like you’re listening to her, right down to the soft yet haunting vocals. I had to do a double-take when I saw it wasn’t her. But trust, this song will fill the Bridgers-shaped hole in your heart.
  • “Special” by mercury
    • If you’re drawn to the dreamy, soft indie vibes and razor-sharp lyricism of Phoebe Bridgers or Lizzy McAlpine, this track will speak to you. The song has a gentle, alt-folk feel at first, but around the mid-point, it breaks into this unexpected rock energy that gives off major boygenius vibes. It’s got the tender melancholy with a little grit thrown in—basically everything you love in a song.
  • “You Poor Thing” by Ally Evenson
    • If you’ve ever wondered what the musical lovechild of “Doomsday” by Lizzy McAlpine and Phoebe Bridgers’ “I Know the End” would sound like, this is the answer. It’s heavy-hearted yet explosive, beautifully tragic, and absolutely slaps in its own chaotic way. It’s that perfect balance of indie sadness and headbanging energy.
• Clairo, Faye Webster:
  • “Swingin’ Party” by The Replacements
    • This is one of my absolute favorite finds. There’s a groove to this track that you can’t ignore. It’s warm, it’s inviting, and it feels like the soundtrack to a chilled summer night with friends, sitting around a fire and letting the world just… be. It’s got that perfect nostalgic indie vibe that feels timeless. 

• “No One Noticed (Extended English)” by The Marías
  • I found The Marías while planning a trip to Spain and instantly fell in love with their dreamy blend of indie pop and Latin influence. “No One Noticed” is a fan favorite and for good reason. This track, which gained some TikTok traction, is quintessential soft rock, with just enough groove to make you dance. It’s got that ethereal yet grounded vibe that fans of Clairo and Faye Webster will totally vibe with.

• ROLE MODEL, Dominic Fike
  • “Forever” by Hovvdy
    • This song is the kind of track that feels made for the girls who love male-driven indie music but with a twist. It’s got a chill, atmospheric quality that might remind you of Dominic Fike’s moodier stuff, but with a more earthy, introspective vibe. There are also these subtle electronic elements that add a little extra something to the mix.
• Hozier, Laufey:
  • “July” by Hozier
    • If you’re a Hozier fan, you might already know about this track, but I had to include it. “July” somehow got overshadowed by “Nobody’s Soldier” when his Unreal Unearth: Unending album extension dropped, and it felt like people didn’t fully appreciate how stunning this track is. It’s a gentle ballad with that signature Hozier depth—soulful, poetic, and devastating in all the best ways.

• Adrianne Lenker
  • “Cannock Chase” and “Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying” By Labi Siffre
    • In general, I think a lot of older folk music goes unlistened to by younger generations. Labi Siffre has some of the most unique and emotion-evoking music I have ever heard. If you like folk music, you will love Labi Siffre.
  • “Mama, You Been On My Mind” and “It Aint Me, Babe” By Joan Baez and Bob Dylan
    • If you’ve never explored Joan Baez and Bob Dylan’s early work, you’re missing out on some of the most foundational and raw folk storytelling. “Mama, You Been On My Mind” is delicate and introspective, while “It Ain’t Me Babe” is full of defiance. Both tracks recently reentered the mainstream with the release of “A Complete Unknown” which perfectly captures the timelessness of the folk genre. If you want to dive deep into the roots of folk music, these tracks are a great starting point.
• Noah Kahan, Tyler Childers:
  • Glen Campbell – “Gentle On My Mind”
    •  If you’re into Noah Kahan or Tyler Childers’ heartfelt storytelling, “Gentle On My Mind” is a must. It’s a timeless classic with reflective lyrics and a soft, folksy vibe that hits all the right emotional notes, the kind of quiet moments of nostalgia you find in Kahan’s songs.
  • Danny O’Keefe – “Shooting Star”
    • For fans of Tyler Childers’ rugged, poetic style, “Shooting Star” offers that same raw honesty. With its melancholic yet hopeful tone, it feels like a life lived fully—reflecting on the past but always moving forward, much like Childers’ approach to songwriting.