"Dead Sea" by the Lumineers is seemingly just another folk song for the alt-rock crowd, but this iteration has a catchy chorus and vocals that are not too goat-like.
"Bittersweet" by Lowlife is an atmospheric ballad very much also mired in genre while still being fun to listen to.
"Duvet (Acoustic)" by Boa conveys fragile emotions over an acoustic guitar, allowing the powerful vocals to take hold; at the same time nuanced dynamics maintain the listener's interest throughout.
"Funambulist" by Cormorant fuses black metal with political statements about mankind and its past; at the same time rhythm and melody are employed to keep the piece moving forward steadily.
"Corpus Luteum" by Locrian and Mammiffer urgently creates atmosphere, conveying serenity, unease, and mysticism; acoustic instruments break through, filling the loosely filled space.
"Smother" by Daughter employs a very soft sound that extends beyond its simpleness into density through the very personal folk-inspired sound.
"A Toccata Into Blood Soaked Darkness" from Castlevania: Curse of Darkness makes a sharp point through its use of dissonance, organs, and emphasis that whatever is happening is not an ideal situation; whatever bright outcome possible is not very likely, at least judging from the music.
