From all indie genres, Folk seems to have a special place in our hearts. We can't help to get back to folk songs when we look for some calm and inspiration. When we want to hope for a nice dream. Or when we are feeling in the mood for some very well told stories. As an honour to those feelings, this series is entitled TIFU (Today I Folked Up). Only folk songs from new folk artists. To let you and ourselves go.
Constant Follower x Andy Aquarius – Almost Time To Go
Constant Follower’s single “Almost Time to Go” is a powerful piece that highlights Stephen McAll’s ability to craft deeply emotive and textured soundscapes. Featuring the delicate harp work of German musician Andy Aquarius, the track wraps us in a serene, introspective atmosphere. Its delicate interplay of acoustic instrumentation and gentle vocals creates a sense of quiet reflection, evoking the bittersweet beauty of change and letting go.
Lyrically, the song is steeped in McAll’s trademark honesty, weaving vivid imagery with universal emotion. The addition of the harp adds an ethereal quality, amplifying the track’s sense of stillness and grace. “Almost Time to Go” stands as a testament to Constant Follower’s talent for creating music that feels both intimate and expansive, leaving a lasting impression with its understated yet profound beauty.
KOWARI – “Mori”
KOWARI, the duo of violinist Damien Chierici and pianist Louan Kempenaers, brings a cinematic elegance to the Belgian music scene. Known for their classical roots and innovative spirit, the pair first joined forces on a film soundtrack, discovering a shared passion for storytelling through music. Their project blends classical instrumentation with electronic influences, crafting a unique soundscape that feels both timeless and modern. With the guidance of renowned producer Jean Vanesse from GreenHouse Studio, their debut album promises to deliver a richly textured journey into their carefully curated sonic world.
The track “Mori” captures the beauty of longing and loss, weaving emotion through its intricate melodies. Penned by Benni, the lyrics evoke the foggy haze of hope dissipated, a bittersweet reflection on a relationship that lingers as a memory but cannot be rekindled. The metaphor of tear-stained stairs regaining their colour mirrors the emotional recovery that follows heartbreak, resonating deeply with the listener. With its cinematic atmosphere and delicate interplay of strings and piano, “Mori” showcases KOWARI’s turn on personal emotions into universal, evocative compositions.
Lorelei x Panpsyche – “Invitation to The Table”
LORELEI is a visionary artist whose work transcends traditional musical boundaries, blending ethereal tones with ambient, otherworldly soundscapes. Her unique style, a fusion of melancholic alt-pop and neo-classical influences, is deeply inspired by the surreal imagery of lucid dreams. Each track is an invitation to explore the depths of the human psyche, offering a meditative journey that bridges the gap between the tangible world and the vast expanse of imagination. Through her music, LORELEI seeks to foster a sense of harmony between humanity and the natural world, encouraging listeners to reconnect with both the earth and their inner selves.
“Invitation to The Table” is a hauntingly beautiful neo-classical indie folk ballad, co-created by LORELEI and Panpsyche. The track’s delicate arrangement, featuring gentle piano and live cello, creates a lush, introspective soundscape that invites listeners to pause and reflect. LORELEI’s heartfelt lyrics and melodies, combined with Panpsyche’s masterful composition, convey a poignant message: the pursuit of peace lies not in chasing time or destinations, but in embracing the journey itself. This song serves as a gentle reminder to savour each moment, offering a musical space where listeners can find solace and serenity amidst the chaos of daily life.
Mama Tjutju – Try
Lærke Kersten, known as Mama Tjutju, is an independent singer, songwriter, composer, and pianist whose music blends neo-soul and folk influences. Her work is marked by acoustic warmth, raw emotion, and powerful lyrics. From the haunting landscapes of her “Iceland” EP to the introspective “Stockholm“, Mama Tjutju’s releases reflect a journey of personal and artistic evolution. Her soulful voice and simple, yet impactful arrangements create a deeply moving listening experience, capturing the essence of transformation and authenticity.
“Try” is a bold anthem addressing the struggle against objectification and the pursuit of freedom. With its acoustic foundation and soulful vocals, the track speaks directly to the listener, offering a message of empowerment. It encourages women to break free from societal constraints and embrace their path. The song’s straightforward structure highlights the emotional depth of its lyrics, making “Try” a compelling and resonant addition to any folk compilation. Mama Tjutju’s honest storytelling and melodic strength make this track a standout piece.
Matu – “My Favourite Song”
Born in the rugged landscapes of Patagonia, Matu has journeyed far from his Argentine roots to establish himself as a rising force in London’s vibrant music scene. With a multicultural heritage spanning Ireland, the Netherlands, and Italy, his music carries the soul of a global storyteller. Matu’s sound is steeped in alternative folk, blending introspective lyrics with evocative melodies that resonate deeply with listeners. From humble beginnings in Argentina’s limited folk scene to becoming a Twitch Partner with an engaged online audience, Matu has consistently found creative ways to share his art. His live performances, whether on Twitch or in iconic venues like The Troubadour, are a testament to his raw, emotive style and ability to connect intimately with his audience.
“My Favourite Song”, the second single from Matu’s upcoming EP, is a poignant exploration of a past relationship. Using the metaphor of a cherished record, the track captures the bittersweet mix of nostalgia and emotion tied to shared memories. Crafted with the support of a grant from the UK charity Help Musicians, the song reflects Matu’s gift for storytelling through music. The warm acoustic layers and heartfelt vocals draw listeners into a world of personal reflection, where love, loss, and the passage of time intertwine. Set to feature in a folk-based compilation, this track is a glimpse into Matu’s evolving artistry, promising to strike a chord with fans of thoughtful, emotionally driven music.
meka – “Tomato Song”
meka is the artistic moniker of Melissa Lingo, a nomadic singer-songwriter whose music drifts through the ethereal echoes of 60s and 70s folk. Raised in a secluded Californian mountain town dedicated to astronomy, her upbringing was infused with a sense of wonder—both for the cosmos and the human experience. A self-taught multi-instrumentalist, she has wandered through Brazil, India, Cambodia, and Budapest, gathering stories and melodies along the way. Now based in Prague, her songwriting is deeply personal, weaving themes of solitude, grief, and the fragile beauty of nature into intricate, poetic compositions. With a lineage of musicians and storytellers behind her, meka crafts music that feels timeless—introspective yet expansive, delicate yet emotionally profound.
Channelling, “Tomato Song” is a meditation on memory, loss, and the liminal spaces between dreams and reality. With delicate piano, softly brushed drums, and fingerpicked guitar reminiscent of Nick Drake, the track envelops the listener in an otherworldly haze. Lyrically, meka juxtaposes the warmth of childhood nostalgia—her mother tending to a garden, tomatoes ripening in a recycled milk carton—with existential uncertainty, bargaining with death under the veil of nicotine smoke. The refrain, “Tell me something beautiful and make me feel it” echoes like a plea for clarity in a world where time collapses and visions slip away. Both melancholic and hopeful, “Tomato Song” finds beauty in decay, offering a poignant reflection on the spaces we occupy between past and present, dreams and waking life.
Rosie H Sullivan – Lazy River
Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter Rosie H Sullivan begins 2025 with the captivating single “Lazy River“, a refreshing reflection on love, loss, and moving forward. Originally from the Isle of Lewis, the 22-year-old artist has built a reputation for her evocative storytelling and emotive vocal delivery, earning critical acclaim for her two previous EPs. Now releasing independently after parting ways with her label in mid-2024, Sullivan embraces newfound creative freedom, channelling her life experiences into a fresh wave of material slated for release throughout the year.
Co-written with Ross Leighton (Fatherson) and produced by long-time collaborator Ross Hamilton, “Lazy River” pairs Sullivan’s introspective lyrics with a lush, cinematic soundscape. The song draws inspiration from Maggie Rogers and Lizzy McAlpine, as it explores the inevitability of letting go while cherishing the lingering echoes of a past relationship. With its flowing melodies and heartfelt sentiment, “Lazy River” captures both the inevitability of moving on and the moments of weakness that accompany it, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in Sullivan’s career.
The One Eighties – “Backseat Devil”
The One Eighties are a duo that thrives on reinvention, and their name portrays their bold ability to pivot and evolve. Comprising Autumn Brand and Daniel Cook, the pair first gained acclaim with their former band New Reveille, earning recognition from Rolling Stone and Billboard. After setbacks including the closure of their record label and the pandemic, they decided to forge their path, releasing their ambitious debut album “Minefields” in 2023. Known for their “tamed extravagance” the duo’s sound combines acoustic guitars with ‘80s synths, orchestral arrangements, and a touch of space-country. Now, they’re revisiting their Americana roots with the release of “Backseat Devil”, returning to raw storytelling and stripped-down instrumentation.
“Backseat Devil” captures a journey through alienation, regret, and self-discovery, wrapped in a melancholic yet hopeful tone. Drawing from old-time highway country, roots rock, and Appalachian influences, the track explores the inescapable weight of past decisions. “Maybe there’s a nagging guilt about how you left it”, Cook explains, alluding to the titular devil in the backseat, a haunting metaphor for unresolved emotions. The track features a stellar lineup of session musicians, including Grammy-winning drummer Fred Eltringham and pedal steel virtuoso Whit Wright, with much of the recording done in the duo’s Cary, NC home studio. The result is a richly layered piece, blending soprano harmonies, pedal steel, and accordion into a sonic tapestry that feels intimate and expansive.
Zoë Kilgren – “Magician”
Zoë Kilgren is a rising force in the indie rock scene, blending raw emotion with genre-defying soundscapes that challenge convention. As the frontwoman of the Zoë Kilgren Band, she brings an unmistakable vulnerability to her music, drawing inspiration from the emotional complexities of love, loss, and self-discovery. Based in Los Angeles, her sound echoes elements of rock legends like Fleetwood Mac and No Doubt, yet remains distinctly her own. With a growing fan base and an impressive 63,000 Spotify streams in the past year, Kilgren is carving out a space where heartfelt storytelling meets electrifying instrumentation.
With its unconventional structure and emotionally charged lyricism, “Magician” is a haunting meditation on love, deception, and self-delusion. The song’s slow-building tension mirrors the painful cycle of hoping for a change in a relationship destined to disappoint. Kilgren’s evocative lyrics capture the desperation of clinging to empty promises, while the track’s spoken-word interlude adds a theatrical element that enhances its dramatic weight. The title itself draws from tarot symbolism, representing both the trickster and the visionary—reflecting the push and pull between illusion and reality. As the song crescendos into its powerful conclusion, “Magician” leaves listeners caught in its spell, a testament to Kilgren’s ability to transform personal heartbreak into a universally resonant experience.
All these songs (and all previous songs featured in TIFU) are also featured on our folk playlist. Follow it on Spotify: