GENRE; Rock
LABEL; Self-released
RATING; 6.8
folx, the sprawling 112‑track concept album by Canadian collective friends&, is one of the most ambitious and bewildering releases of 2026. Released on February 17 on the independent label dawk26, this project blends glitch pop, folktronica, plunderphonics, and avant‑garde collage to create a listening experience that’s as chaotic as it is compelling.
At its core, folx is a collage of ideas — weaving together themes of capitalism, folk music traditions, internet culture, labour, family, and philosophical criticism. The album’s manifesto‑like liner notes reveal it was conceived after years of thought and reading, aiming to “reinvent pop music production” while also reflecting on the death of the traditional music industry and the pressures of modern life.
Musically, folx is maximalist and unpredictable. Tracks often feel like rapid sonic sketches — brief bursts of sound, quirky samples, glitchy electronic passages, and fragments of folk melodies — all stitched together in an impressionistic style reminiscent of sample collagists. Some segments reference classic folk and pop music in plunderphonic fashion, creating a sense of historical dialogue with past musical traditions.
Critical reception has been mixed. Pitchfork described the album as a “compelling statement in a clusterfuck,” noting that its conflicting ambitions sometimes undermine its impact despite moments of genuine creativity. Meanwhile, user reviews on Album of the Year show many listeners find folx exhilarating and unique, if occasionally exhausting or disjointed.
Ultimately, folx isn’t an easy listen — it’s dense, frequently disorienting, and defiantly unconventional. But for those willing to dive into its labyrinthine structure, it offers a fascinating snapshot of experimental pop pushed to its chaotic limits — a record as much about thought as sound.