New Slang: "Neu-Folk"

4:00 am Nov 20 - by Ashley Albrecht – buzz Writer

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“Neu-Folk” (German for “new,” pronouned “noy,” and “foʊk”)

No, I’m not referring to Cat Stevens or Bob Dylan here … step into the 21st century! In our hyper-digitalized postmodern world, the “new folk” of today labor as musical raconteurs, working to reclaim our collective roots through the age-old art of song. Capturing a romantic spirit and folkloric frivolity, these musicians’ nostalgic storytelling ranges from eulogization of the simple and pastoral to explorations of madness and war through folk noir. Less esoteric than the “New Weird America” yet off-beat enough to attract listeners’ attention, artists that fit the “neu-folk” bill include: The Decemberists, Okkervil River, Fleet Foxes and Iron & Wine.

Example: “Stylistically speaking, World’s First Flying Machine is decidedly more neu-folk than New Ruins, wouldn’t you agree?”

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Last post: Nov. 20, 2008 at 1:13 pm

Matt Fender (Matt Fender) said on Nov. 20, 2008 at 1:13 pm:

I think if anyone uttered that example to me, I would slap them across the face and avoid them for the rest of my life.

I always knew "Butterflies" was about madness and war! Good God, what do you think they are saying in "Inefficient Machines?!" Terminator rhetoric! Domestic Terrorism!

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