Emerging Folk – Libby Ember, The Other End, Gus Thompson, Rowan Murphy

You need to hear “Alibi,” the debut single from up and coming singer-songwriter, Libby Ember. The emotional pull of this song is not to be understated; we love the intimate vocals, atmospheric energy, and minimalistic production style. Acoustic and electric guitar are employed here, both playing in a more reserved, rhythmic fashion that allows the vocal melody to breathe. While being mildly restrained, each of these aforementioned elements are masterfully performed and cleverly combined to create this ethereal soundscape that we cannot get enough of.

Fans of Lizzy McAlpine and Phoebe Bridgers will instantly connect with the intimate, indie-folk style presented here. We look forward to hearing more from this artist in the near future and highly recommend you give her debut single a listen.

Hear it now on our Indie Folk 2025 Playlist.

The Other End is back with their latest single release, “I Just Stay Around,” a heartfelt and introspective indie-folk tune that instantly caught our attention. We love the dreamy vibe presented here. The instrumentation is comprised with multiple layers of guitars, both electric and acoustic, each one heavily modulated in a unique way. We hear some oscillating synth layers in here as well, propelling the groove forward in an interesting and fresh manner.

The style in this song bridges the gap between Portishead and Pink Floyd, exemplified by their lush sonic landscapes and memorable grooves. We see a bright future ahead for this emerging indie-folk band; keep them on your radar.

Hear them now on our Indie Folk 2025 Playlist.

Gus Thompson recently dropped “Lost in Thought,” a wonderfully inventive and fresh take on the indie-folk genre as a whole. The vocals alone are outstanding. We love the timbre of his voice and the evolution from one vocal track to multiple layers of harmony as the song progresses. About halfway through this tune, we are introduced to a myriad of instrumentation in a buildup that can only be described as cinematic. Layers of piano, organ, guitar, synths, and saxophone are united in this masterful production that leaves us eager for more.

We hear similarities to Bon Iver and The Paper Kites in this tune, but Gus Thompson presents a style all his own. A style that merges elements from different genres entirely, bringing them together in a way that is entirely unique to him. We highly recommend giving his music a listen.

Hear it now on our Indie Folk 2025 Playlist.

Up and coming indie-folk artist Rowan Murphy is back with “Fault on the Line,” her most recent single release. This tune has an emotionally vulnerable feel that we instantly connected with. Her vocals and harmonies are on point throughout this song, complemented by a mesmerizing conglomeration of instrumental mastery. The chord progressions used here are elite and inventive, showcasing her extensive theoretical knowledge and keeping our ears actively engaged. We cannot overstate how infectious this combination of instrumental and vocal prowess is.

Their music is reminiscent to artists like Gigi Perez or boygenius, harnessing that folk vibe in an indie setting that appeals to the masses. We absolutely love what Rowan Murphy has been up to recently, and we cannot wait to hear more.

Hear her now on our Indie Folk 2025 Playlist.

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