The artists in this year's list all use their music to create a sense of unity. Whether it is the acknowledgment of shared oppression, or in contrast, the visibility of identity, Best of Folk Music 2020 is defined by its ability to form a musical common ground.
This was a major year for country music. With Lil Nas X, the world saw the shift. But others are helping to move country from near homogeneity to a diverse pastiche.
With Country Squire, Tyler Childers creates a feel-good country record to close out the summer. It's not too late to throw a party, and Childers will keep you swinging.
The best new artists of 2017 mash up genre dividers and take popular music in new and exciting directions.
