The Quiet That Stays: Songs for Fans of Adrianne Lenker and Big Thief

Adrianne Lenker doesn’t necessarily write songs that announce themselves. They arrive softly, built from small details and half-spoken truths, and tend to stay with you longer than you’d expect. Looking back through our archive, a surprising number of artists sit in that emotional register. Here are a few we’ve returned to.

Pearla – “To Love Something”
Dreamy folk-pop that opens softly and nestles into an intimate vocal with a quiet, unforced feel. Read more…

GIMMY – “Tell Me I’m Your Girl”
Gritty lo-fi guitars and the type of raw energy that recalls early Big Thief without smoothing the edges. We spin this one on a regular basis. Read more…

Anna Tivel – “Animal Poem”
Tape-worn indie folk that moves slowly, anchored by a stellar vocal that feels up close and unguarded. Read more…

Brittain Ashford – “Could’ve Done You Better”
Begins quietly and opens gradually, moving from restraint into a slow emotional lift. Deserves a permanent spot in your road trip playlist. Read more…

Sophia St. Helen – “Radio Silence”
One of our favorites. Piano-led at the start, then building into a soundtrack for the devastation of absolute heartbreak. Read more…

Tennessee Kamanski – “Collies”
Drifts between hazy production and grounded folk, with layered vocals that sit just above the mix in a way that sticks with you. Read more…

Meagre Martin – “Please Clap”
Authentic indie rock built on shimmering guitars and low synths, with a vocal that ties it all together, carrying it across multiple genres. Read more…

Tory Silver – “Microwave”
Vocal harmonies, heavy guitars, and catchy choruses — this track has been crafted in such a way that you have no choice but to give it a home. Read more…

Perish – “Cool Guys”
Jagged guitars and pulsing bass carry the track, with multilayered vocals cooked into the mix — sonically akin to both Lenker and Sharon Van Etten — a win/win. Read more…

Bess Atwell – “Fan Favourite”
A dreamlike journey through your emotions, complete with a tranquil aesthetic that should sit quite nicely in all of your favorite introspective playlists. Read more…

Brittany Ann Tranbaugh – “Bushwick”
Warm acoustic folk with a grounded, room-toned feel and a vocal placed right in the center. As we’ve mentioned, a future household name. Read more…

Keeley Boyle – “Honey Whiskey”
Loose folk-jazz feel with brushed percussion, upright bass, and a vocal that will take you on a tour of your own existence before nestling itself into your favorite playlist. Read more…

These songs don’t try to demand your attention, but they tend to reward it. If you sit with them long enough, they start to feel like they’ve always been there, in the same quiet way Adrianne Lenker’s writing often does.

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-TM