The Top 3 folk pop songs that redefines heartfelt storytelling [Review]

Folk pop has long been a genre where raw emotion meets melodic smarts, and in 2025, musicians have taken that mixture to brand-new heights. From intimate singer-songwriter confessions to widescreen folk tales, these songs suggest folk pop is still very much alive, changing, and feeling deeply human.

Nicky Phillips – "Stranger"

Nicky Phillips' new single, "Stranger," is a poignant and haunting exploration of connection and solitude. The track begins with cool verses that offer a gentle invitation into Phillip's sphere, and it expands with choruses that tug at the heartstrings. "Stranger" was produced by Joel Schwartz and combines indie pop elements with folk leanings to create a sound that is both contemporary and timeless.

Phillips' background, half British and half Czech, London by heritage, Manchester by heart, has something to do with the sense of place and introspection in the song. At 3:13, there is a passage in the song where the various layers of the instruments and his voice suddenly become perfectly aligned, and we get a brief moment that somehow manages to be both intimate and cinematic. As much as anything, it's a reminder of Phillips' skill for creating folk pop that remains deeply personal without ever tipping too far into the insular. "Stranger" is the sort of song that sticks with you.

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Hutton – "Planets"

There are plenty of breakup anthems, but few can straddle heartbreak and empowerment quite like Hutton's "Planets." Inspired by Shania Twain and other female pop luminaries, Hutton harnesses the lingering sting of a past relationship to make a statement of emotional autonomy. "Planets" is a poignant metaphor for moving forward while feeling residual pain, a universally relatable sentiment tucked inside a breezy folk-pop package.

With a gauzy voice and a melody that dances somewhere between sadness and the giddy threshold of liberation, "Planets" captures that duality of post-relationship life, and the ache of loss mingling with the peace and quiet of self-freedom. Hutton's gift for adding humor and tribute to the track means that not only do you not simply commiserate, but you also rejoice in the heart that survived. It's a song that resonates because it acknowledges the pain and then sets it free.

Lealiza – "Bring It Down"

Lealiza's "Bring It Down" is likely the most cinematic of the trio, blending folk, the sting of strings, thump of percussion, and evocative vocals into a sweeping work of storytelling. The song was sparked by challenging relationship dynamics that have played out, literally, over the course of history, including during the trial of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, and reaches back to examine power, collaboration, and how blame is distributed in partnerships. From Samson and Delilah to millennial power pairs, Lealiza delves into the way creative collaboration intersects with the lens of a suffocating society, particularly when women are involved.

The complexity of the track's themes is echoed in its elaborate arrangement. Guitar lines, strings, and percussion rise and recede, giving primacy to the lead vocalist before summoning the emotional tempest of these ancient-for-always and forevermore tales. "Bring It Down" is a meditation on human relationships, creativity, and power. It asks you to ponder perspective, responsibility, and the repeating patterns that make up human connection.

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Collectively, these three songs demonstrate the range and emotional cut of contemporary folk pop. Whether it's Nicky Phillips' intimate musings, Hutton's spirited breakup anthem, or Lealiza's epic storytelling, 2025's folk pop scene is evidence enough that the genre remains a fertile soil for artists to process life, love, and all the messy beauty in between.