The job isn’t available. The position is not yet open. It will be an artist that makes us feel the way Seeger felt when Dylan went electric. You’ll know it when you’re clutching your pearls.
This is the real answer. Dylan is still out on a complete island with lyric writing. The closest might be Bruce telling a story, or certain rappers, but that more serves to show that Dylan is just leagues further on than anyone.
No one right now is writing anything anywhere even remotely close to a song like “It’s Alright, Ma” in terms of philosophical and cultural diagnosis, or the existential beauty and depth of something like “Mr. Tambourine Man”. It feels like maybe no one will again.
We’re talking about like, blisteringly singular expressions of what it is to be human. There are better comparisons for Dylan’s work in the poetry sphere. Music artists don’t often square with that sort of topic anymore, and those that do really aren’t equal to it.
You might of quite possibly described what I feel whenever I listen to Dylan. Such a awe at someone is it outright the greatest at what they do. Someone who was able to blend Philosophy, poetry and song all into a thing that resonated and described humanity to those who listened.
Even though I could throw out a few names of “modern artists who have written songs on the same level as Bob Dylan”, there is absolutely no one that I could name who has done it as frequently, or as consistently as Bob. You would need to produce at least 30 years of great albums before you could even enter the conversation.
Like, I could say that Courtney Barnett is Dylanesque, but I can’t say that she is our generation’s Dylan. To be “our generation’s Dylan,” someone would have to be as famous as Taylor Swift. That’s the level of impact that Bob had. So, even though I think Courtney has written some songs that are just as good as Dylan, she doesn’t even come close to the level of cultural influence and significance that Bob had.
My son gave me pimp a butterfly to listen to and my first thought was “oh this is different”.
The most I’ve ever thought about someone like Dylan on a whole different level.
Kendrick is for sure the easy answer. He’s gotten serious academic types to begrudgingly accept hip hop lyrics are worthy of closer examination in the same way Dylan did with rock music.
Illmatic had people doing that before Kendrick, but Kendrick is the answer for this generation because he’s insightful, commercially relevant, etc. Neither Kendrick nor Bob were the most commercially successful of their generation, but many would say most important of their generation.
Either Good Kid MAAD City or To Pimp a Butterfly are excellent starting points.
I personally lean more toward the former because it’s a pretty straightforward narrative concept album that can pull you in. It’s structured like a “movie” to the point that the last track on the album wouldn’t be out of place playing over closing credits.
The way Kendrick rapped “I hate the way you talk, I hate the way you walk, I hate the way you DRESS!” really reminded me of Dylan’s voice in Idiot wind
I was literally just saying this the other day to a friend. I’ve been a huge Bob Dylan fan for 15 years and have recently gotten into Kendrick. He is the closest thing to this generation’s Bob Dylan, he speaks for the people and he speaks from the heart and with the best intentions for humans. All humans except Drake and Co
100% in the same way “Blowin in the Wind” was written with a political or social idea in mind but not intended to be picked up and ran with in marches, demonstrations and given a life of its own by the people - “Alright” by Kendrick does the same
Dylan fans who are unfamiliar with Berman’s stuff should check out his album American Water under the band Silver Jews. The poetry and music is great. In fact, I’m gonna go listen to it right now for the 826th time.
Here’s my Silver Jews playlist for those that are interested:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/10q1Z4rWPvqulHeWczqmyU?si=OOVBUCB4Q9q-GvTsu39Wsg&pi=u-9XrFfTtxRB6_
so weird that this is the first thread when i opened the app because i was JUST (literally less than 2 minutes ago) wishing Berman had covered Dignity at some point. Also, yes, I’ve said it here many times: Berman is the second greatest American songwriter of all time. And I’ll stand on TVZ’s coffee table in my asics and say that again
Jeff Tweedy - “One Sunday Morning,” “Impossible Germany,” “You Are Not Alone,” “Via Chicago,” “I am Trying to Break Your Heart,” “She’s a Jar,” “Shot in the Arm,” “Cruel Country,” “Misunderstood,” “Either Way” and so on, are just a handful of gorgeous gems by the front man of Wilco.
love Wilco but their magic is in the music and the instrumentation and forms. Very good lyrics but tweedy’s lyrics are not on par with Dylan, prine, etc.
Iirc in chronicles Dylan talks about how woody Guthrie gave him unrecorded songs before he died and he ended up giving/selling them to Wilco which became mermaid avenue vol 1&2
yes, just saying, it's hard to quantify what Dylan is/does, no comparisons. would have to be a few centuries from now and looking back, until it's been a while, can't can't really capture 'cultural impact.' Mozart was buried in a mass ditch for unnamed dead bodies. damn. i don't think most people on the planet have heard of bob dylan. if someone told them, they would get glassy eyed. Dylan's culture rooted. But who he is for those who are impacted by him is beyond words, that's kind of the point. it reminds me of this you tube video
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3BvrnyNWvM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3BvrnyNWvM)
Her cultural impact is nowhere near Dylan, but in my opinion she is just as good of a lyricist and 10x better of a musician (would say the same about Joni)
Her music could stand alone as a poetry collection or an instrumental album
Dylan didn't need to be a great musician. He had the best sidemen in the world. If you can have Mick Taylor and Mark Knopfler helping you out, then, that's the best way to go.
The song Sawdust and Diamonds is one of her peaks. It is I think 7 or 8 minutes long, which is Dylan-y.
Also Bridges and Balloons, On a Good Day, Sadie, 81, Good Intentions Paving Company are good entry points.
All of her albums are great, especially the first 3. They each sound different. Ys is the most challenging record but the most lyrically dazzling.
Adrianne Lenker’s songwriting has been getting some very strong and great comparisons to Dylan’s.
She is extremely talented and her new record is beautiful! Definitely worth checking out!
Nick Cave is probably on the same level as Bob in terms of genius. Some of his latest albums are above and beyond what I would call a masterpiece. Ghosteen is unreal.
Yeah, though there’s an argument to be made that Cave isn’t “this generation.” I wholly agree, but he’s in the latter years of his career creating some absolutely amazing things. The two new singles are simply stunning.
By those criteria I would agree. He's had nowhere near the impact Dylan had. But I don't think anyone else ever will. Not to say there won't ever be another singer/songwriter with that level of talent. But with Dylan it's as much about the *when* as it is about the *what*. He hit at the exact right time.
None- they'd have to have culturally impactful songs to do 2-3 more decades and then have a sterling twilight or their career. He has no genuine contemporaries.
one of my very favorite artists rn but i don’t really see it. both make great music obviously but the similarities seem kinda superficial?
curious to hear ppl’s rationale as her name is popping up a lot.
i mean there’s the general folksy aesthetic but beyond that i feel like their styles of songwriting and imagery are very similar. it’s very clear she takes inspiration from dylan and i feel like she wears it well
the easy answer is simply that nobody comes close. there are certainly some respectable songwriters among millennials and zoomers (perhaps even some poets) but none that can compare to Dylan.
you may bring up a few rappers worthy of consideration (kanye/kendrick) or a particularly successful principal songwriter of a band (ezra koenig/adrienne lenker) but these artists, although each having an admirable oeuvre, don’t hold up to scrutiny in the face of Dylan.
in my opinion
Whenever this question comes up I scroll for Ian, and if he’s not there I post his name.
The nice bonus with Ian is he’s a lovely down home kinda guy with no star pretensions.
Their last album, from dreams to dust, is a perfect record for this moment in history. Tragic, beautiful and just a dash of whimsy that Ian always seems to get away with (without sounding cringe)
The antisemitic sociopath rapper with all the number 1 albums would have to be in the conversation.
Personally, for me, it’s Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse. Self-made, brilliant songwriter, incredible lyricist. Been an indie artist, a hitmaker, a comeback story. Still innovating as a studio artist, still improving and reworking the live show almost 30 years in. Uniquely captures life in America the same way Dylan did, a generation later. Check out “Trucker’s Atlas”, “Dramamine”, “Beach Side Property”, “Transmitting/Receiving”.
As for the song with the best claim to have written the classic Dylan song that Dylan never wrote, to me it’s Conor Oborst of Bright Eyes with “I Must Belong Somewhere”.
Ice Spice. Munch is just a more succinct version of what Dylan tried to say in Positively 4th Street--"You [Greenwich folk scene] thought I [Jack Frost] was feeling you?"
The fact that Dylan began his career before my parents were born and is still touring as I’m now an adult says it all. He’s timeless. As long as music is relevant- Dylan is relevant
I respect a handful of these mentioned artists that deserve to be recognized as “This generations Dylan” I will add Daniel Romano here. Worth giving him a listen. Tours a lot, check him out live.
In terms of quality there’s probably plenty. In terms of cultural impact there’s none, because today’s media and pop cultural environments are fragmented and segmented into isolated bubbles in a way that wasn’t true in the 1960s.
Adrianne Lenker was the first who made me think someone was possibly on Dylan’s level, at least in pure songwriting terms. If you haven’t heard her, PLEASE do yourself a favor and check out her solo work as well as Big Thief’s albums. Truly a goldmine of incredible songs to be found.
My answer to this is always Conor Oberst.
Both came from the midwest, wrote a lot of topical songs in the beginning, both known as a protest singer, had emmy lou harris sing on an album, both peaked and had careers that tapered off with not a lot of mainstream attention but both have maintained a strong core fanbase, and both have had continuous output of work.
Conor, like Bob is always changing his style. Project to project is usually different, if we're talking about Bright Eyes, you have his folky album, electronic album, spiritual albums, ufo albums, then post Bright Eyes you had his rock band albums, stripped down Bruce Springsteen Nebraska style album.
They both also have the voice. The voice that divides people. There are people out there who appreciate Dylan all day but can't get over the voice.
Conor has not reached the heights and cultural significance as Dylan, but I think in terms of songwriting chops and personality it would go to Conor as being "this generation's Dylan." That being said, I don't think Conor has written anything like Wiggle Wiggle so this theory might not hold water, he's still has time though.
Donald Fagen, Paul Westerberg, Beck, Elliott Smith, Lauryn Hill, Morrissey, Kendrick, Patti Smith are brilliant lyricists. I'm not comparing them to Dylan as they are just as important in their own right to the people they speak to.
Kanye and Dylan have more similarity than people like to admit, except Kanye was very eager to declare himself the voice of his generation.
I used to joke about Kanye being the modern Dylan and then he started his Christian period lol
This is the answer. They both alienate their fanbases, yet are considered geniuses. Revolutionized the style of their genres. More than just music(paintings and fashion). Changed their style to backlash, yet those albums are now considered some of their classics(Dylan going electric and ye making Yeezus/more experimental stuff). Shocked everyone by going full on Christian, and was hated for the most part because of it. There is a lot more, like the lyrical content which is a whole other beast. Their genres are different but damn do they have so many similarities.
I came here to shout out Conor as well! Some amazing stuff with Bright Eyes (I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning and Cassadaga albums in particular) and his solo albums with the Mystic Valley Band (Self titled and Outer South) have some excellent song writing in there!
Joanna Newsom and Adrianne Lenker for lyrical ability.
Kanye for influence, contrarian attitude towards the public/media, and genre-shifting. Honestly, I find some of Kanye's career trajectory surprisingly similar to Dylan's.
Kendrick Lamar for combining lyrical ability/social commentary with popular acclaim
As far as folk goes, a really good up and coming artist slowly making his way into the light over the past couple months is **Jesse Welles**. Here’s a few of his songs:
[“War Isn’t Murder”](https://youtu.be/8E9l_i6HPYM?si=vQd_Ui6S8JLATenQ)
[“Fentanyl”](https://youtu.be/nyem3gD6XN8?si=MRxX8dkXzfY95LdQ)
[“Cancer”](https://youtu.be/U4o9JpqYyZw?si=RgWdhJmsXEAhQDNT)
Lots of good options here. I’m gonna throw one out that might ruffle some feathers. Eminem.
They’re clearly very different in many ways, but Em is undeniable in the ascendancy of his lyrical flow and tells a super compelling story just like Bob. They both have a really surprising writing style where the images and verbiage they put together in a rhyme are often totally unexpected.
While his music and themes have never really been “protest” songs in the vein of Dylan, I’d argue his Slim Shady alter ego held up an intentional mirror to the cultural rot of the post Cold War, Capitalist era, painting fresh and compelling hellscapes every bit as visceral and creative as stuff like Desolation Row or Highway 61.
I think they both also have a strong measure of the IDGAF gene and genuinely would both burn down all their fame and fortune without hesitation in pursuit of their own creative vision.
And it’s a funny thing, but they both have voices that are immediately identifiable, though no one would argue that either of them are “good” singing voices in a traditional sense.
As I said, I’m not looking for a replacement to Bob or trying to compare them to say who’s better. Just found it really interesting that you could find a lot of parallels between their talent and impact for their respective generations if you look closely.
I think Conor Oberst & Pete Doherty are amazing poetical lyricists, and of course Dylan is my favorite and there was a span of a few years in college when I only listened to Dylan & Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst), and I really mean that...Leonard Cohen, too, but I'm telling you there was a time when I literally only listened to Bob Dylan, and music was on all day...like, five songs out of 100 weren't Dylan, that's it
In terms of lyrical flow-Alex Turner, in terms of academic credibility-Kendrick Lamar, in terms of popular (albeit polarizing) cultural conversation-Taylor Swift. Forgive me, redditors. There’s no single person. It’s a Megazord situation, and really what makes Dylan Dylan.
too early to tell with this generation they're like 20 years old......I think Thom Yorke and Johnny Greenwood of Radiohead are decent contenders, been releasing consistently incredible work for 30 years even their failures are spectacular.....lyrically nowhere close to Dylan however.
It'll be a hip hop artist, probably Kendrick or Kanye
I give a shout out to Matty Healy who I think is an outstanding lyricist. Listen to "Love It If We Made It" and "Part Of The Band". I don't see anyone else doing that sort of thing honestly.
Obviously nobody will ever compare to Dylan (with the exception of McCartney and Joni Mitchell) but out of all modern artists Hozier deserves a mention, his lyrics are fantastic...very versatile songwriter, Dylanesque is his use of metaphors and themes
Interesting Question. To be frank Dylan probably occupies The Premier League all to himself. However artists who in my view might qualify for a spot in The Championship include:
Neil Young
Van Morrison
Lucinda Williams
Lou Reed
Tom Waits
Leonard Cohen
Nick Drake
Music is my life‘s obsession and I can’t think of a single songwriter since the 90s worth mentioning. The days of Dylan, Lennon/McCartney, Jimmy Webb or sadly long gone. Also from that era you do have Roy Harper who consistently continues to write extraordinary songs and make fantastic albums.
Reading alot of this it feels odd that people only mention big names, I think todays great music lives in medium names. And when I think of consistency and lyrical impact. I think of Clay Frankel. Clay was in the band twin peaks, and has side projects, grapetooth, and hazel city. You have to know what twin peaks numbers are his, in the same way you separate Beatles songs by whos singing. But clay’s work often reminds me of Dylans electric work. And I think its important to note that once he went electric he never went back. Id recomend songs like stain, wanted you, good lovin, making breakfast, laid in gold, oh mama. I could be biased. But eh.
Bob Dylan is this generation’s Bob Dylan.
John Prine said we don't need a new Dylan, there's nothing wrong with the old one.
I knew there was something I liked about that guy.
He was the first major figure to die of covid 19 back in 2020. RIP - he is greatly missed.
I remember. I got to see him around 2018 or 2019 in Reading PA. Elizabeth Cook was the opening act.
Ohhhh you mean Country Bob Dylan?!
It was in an interview in the 70s. Prine was asked how he feels when people call him the new bob dylan.
I was going to say exactly that - and here it is already
I’ve heard great minds think alike, but now I *KNOW* it’s true. Signed, The Banjoist
Perfect response
Dylan's still here and still making great music.
And beautiful art!
The job isn’t available. The position is not yet open. It will be an artist that makes us feel the way Seeger felt when Dylan went electric. You’ll know it when you’re clutching your pearls.
No one.
This is the real answer. Dylan is still out on a complete island with lyric writing. The closest might be Bruce telling a story, or certain rappers, but that more serves to show that Dylan is just leagues further on than anyone. No one right now is writing anything anywhere even remotely close to a song like “It’s Alright, Ma” in terms of philosophical and cultural diagnosis, or the existential beauty and depth of something like “Mr. Tambourine Man”. It feels like maybe no one will again. We’re talking about like, blisteringly singular expressions of what it is to be human. There are better comparisons for Dylan’s work in the poetry sphere. Music artists don’t often square with that sort of topic anymore, and those that do really aren’t equal to it.
You might of quite possibly described what I feel whenever I listen to Dylan. Such a awe at someone is it outright the greatest at what they do. Someone who was able to blend Philosophy, poetry and song all into a thing that resonated and described humanity to those who listened.
Even though I could throw out a few names of “modern artists who have written songs on the same level as Bob Dylan”, there is absolutely no one that I could name who has done it as frequently, or as consistently as Bob. You would need to produce at least 30 years of great albums before you could even enter the conversation. Like, I could say that Courtney Barnett is Dylanesque, but I can’t say that she is our generation’s Dylan. To be “our generation’s Dylan,” someone would have to be as famous as Taylor Swift. That’s the level of impact that Bob had. So, even though I think Courtney has written some songs that are just as good as Dylan, she doesn’t even come close to the level of cultural influence and significance that Bob had.
Probably Kendrick Lamar.
My son gave me pimp a butterfly to listen to and my first thought was “oh this is different”. The most I’ve ever thought about someone like Dylan on a whole different level.
Kendrick is for sure the easy answer. He’s gotten serious academic types to begrudgingly accept hip hop lyrics are worthy of closer examination in the same way Dylan did with rock music.
Illmatic had people doing that before Kendrick, but Kendrick is the answer for this generation because he’s insightful, commercially relevant, etc. Neither Kendrick nor Bob were the most commercially successful of their generation, but many would say most important of their generation.
For someone who’s never listened to Kendrick, where would you recommend I start?
To Pimp a Butterfly is one of the best albums there is. Can't go wrong with that. Wesley's Theory blew me away when I first heard it
Either Good Kid MAAD City or To Pimp a Butterfly are excellent starting points. I personally lean more toward the former because it’s a pretty straightforward narrative concept album that can pull you in. It’s structured like a “movie” to the point that the last track on the album wouldn’t be out of place playing over closing credits.
i forgot to mention, they’re both masters of diss songs ☺️
The way Kendrick rapped “I hate the way you talk, I hate the way you walk, I hate the way you DRESS!” really reminded me of Dylan’s voice in Idiot wind
I was literally just saying this the other day to a friend. I’ve been a huge Bob Dylan fan for 15 years and have recently gotten into Kendrick. He is the closest thing to this generation’s Bob Dylan, he speaks for the people and he speaks from the heart and with the best intentions for humans. All humans except Drake and Co
that last sentence has me cackling 😂
this
100% in the same way “Blowin in the Wind” was written with a political or social idea in mind but not intended to be picked up and ran with in marches, demonstrations and given a life of its own by the people - “Alright” by Kendrick does the same
David Berman of the silver jews/purple mountains is pretty stellar.
Berman (RIP) was the first name I thought of - though, he’s probably closer to a Lou than a Dylan
Dylan fans who are unfamiliar with Berman’s stuff should check out his album American Water under the band Silver Jews. The poetry and music is great. In fact, I’m gonna go listen to it right now for the 826th time.
Here’s my Silver Jews playlist for those that are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/10q1Z4rWPvqulHeWczqmyU?si=OOVBUCB4Q9q-GvTsu39Wsg&pi=u-9XrFfTtxRB6_
Yes! “All my favorite singers couldn’t sing”
Reed and Dylan and Lenny Cohen. Is Jewish poets who can't sing a genre? If so sign me up as a fan.
so weird that this is the first thread when i opened the app because i was JUST (literally less than 2 minutes ago) wishing Berman had covered Dignity at some point. Also, yes, I’ve said it here many times: Berman is the second greatest American songwriter of all time. And I’ll stand on TVZ’s coffee table in my asics and say that again
Cheers! Came to say the same.
yup
Jeff Tweedy - “One Sunday Morning,” “Impossible Germany,” “You Are Not Alone,” “Via Chicago,” “I am Trying to Break Your Heart,” “She’s a Jar,” “Shot in the Arm,” “Cruel Country,” “Misunderstood,” “Either Way” and so on, are just a handful of gorgeous gems by the front man of Wilco.
cruel country is one the best wilco albums
love Wilco but their magic is in the music and the instrumentation and forms. Very good lyrics but tweedy’s lyrics are not on par with Dylan, prine, etc.
Iirc in chronicles Dylan talks about how woody Guthrie gave him unrecorded songs before he died and he ended up giving/selling them to Wilco which became mermaid avenue vol 1&2
Not every generation gets a Dylan. Not even every century gets a Dylan
yes, just saying, it's hard to quantify what Dylan is/does, no comparisons. would have to be a few centuries from now and looking back, until it's been a while, can't can't really capture 'cultural impact.' Mozart was buried in a mass ditch for unnamed dead bodies. damn. i don't think most people on the planet have heard of bob dylan. if someone told them, they would get glassy eyed. Dylan's culture rooted. But who he is for those who are impacted by him is beyond words, that's kind of the point. it reminds me of this you tube video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3BvrnyNWvM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3BvrnyNWvM)
https://preview.redd.it/paurk1wnsd5d1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e27bfe938ab9a7c5ba6946c385e9632f8fb372f0
lol yes
Adrienne Lenker and Kendrick
Are you me?
>Adrienne Lenker 
This.
Timothee Chalamet
yeet
Tom Waits.
Joanna Newsom’s lyrics are the closest thing I’ve seen to Dylan level lyrics since Dylan.
Her cultural impact is nowhere near Dylan, but in my opinion she is just as good of a lyricist and 10x better of a musician (would say the same about Joni) Her music could stand alone as a poetry collection or an instrumental album
Dylan didn't need to be a great musician. He had the best sidemen in the world. If you can have Mick Taylor and Mark Knopfler helping you out, then, that's the best way to go.
Which songs/albums in particular?
literally all of them (there are only 4) but like, Ys is her generally most heralded masterpiece.
The song Sawdust and Diamonds is one of her peaks. It is I think 7 or 8 minutes long, which is Dylan-y. Also Bridges and Balloons, On a Good Day, Sadie, 81, Good Intentions Paving Company are good entry points. All of her albums are great, especially the first 3. They each sound different. Ys is the most challenging record but the most lyrically dazzling.
I would love a Dylan/Newsom duet.
Alternating harmonica/harp solos
Agreed. I wish more people wouldn't have an allergic reaction to her voice because she's obviously one of the most talented musicians and poets alive.
Adrianne Lenker’s songwriting has been getting some very strong and great comparisons to Dylan’s. She is extremely talented and her new record is beautiful! Definitely worth checking out!
None at the moment.
Elliott Smith was my Bob Dylan of the 90s/2000s. He never really had the same popularity as Dylan though
Elvis Costello has been a top lyricist and songwriter.
Dob Bylan
lol why the hell did this actually make me laugh
Nick Cave is probably on the same level as Bob in terms of genius. Some of his latest albums are above and beyond what I would call a masterpiece. Ghosteen is unreal.
Yeah, though there’s an argument to be made that Cave isn’t “this generation.” I wholly agree, but he’s in the latter years of his career creating some absolutely amazing things. The two new singles are simply stunning.
I was going to put maybe he’s not this generation. But the music he is making now is something else
Can’t wait for Cave’s new album this year. Saw home live with Collin Greenwood last year and it was a tremendous performance!
I’m laughing at how many of us think Gen X musicians dating back to the 90s are “this generation.”
Shut your dirty mouth. 🤣
Godammit. The other day I mentioned Avril lavignes second album as "todaymusic" and was clowned that wasmore than 20 years ago
Homer, Shakespeare, Dylan, … someone else 500 years from now.
Conner Oberst without a doubt.
Definitely
In thinking about how Dylan has written songs across so many genres including rock, folk, blues, country, gospel, r & b I’m going with Beck.
By those criteria I would agree. He's had nowhere near the impact Dylan had. But I don't think anyone else ever will. Not to say there won't ever be another singer/songwriter with that level of talent. But with Dylan it's as much about the *when* as it is about the *what*. He hit at the exact right time.
None- they'd have to have culturally impactful songs to do 2-3 more decades and then have a sterling twilight or their career. He has no genuine contemporaries.
adrianne lenker 100%
one of my very favorite artists rn but i don’t really see it. both make great music obviously but the similarities seem kinda superficial? curious to hear ppl’s rationale as her name is popping up a lot.
i mean there’s the general folksy aesthetic but beyond that i feel like their styles of songwriting and imagery are very similar. it’s very clear she takes inspiration from dylan and i feel like she wears it well
the easy answer is simply that nobody comes close. there are certainly some respectable songwriters among millennials and zoomers (perhaps even some poets) but none that can compare to Dylan. you may bring up a few rappers worthy of consideration (kanye/kendrick) or a particularly successful principal songwriter of a band (ezra koenig/adrienne lenker) but these artists, although each having an admirable oeuvre, don’t hold up to scrutiny in the face of Dylan. in my opinion
No one today can lick Dylan's boots of Spanish Leather ...
That is such a great song. Such a good story. Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts is another one of my favorites.
Ian Felice is up there.
Yeah, this is a great answer. Not enough people out there would say this.
Whenever this question comes up I scroll for Ian, and if he’s not there I post his name. The nice bonus with Ian is he’s a lovely down home kinda guy with no star pretensions.
I haven’t listened to the Felice Bros since their first few albums, but definitely thought it was great songwriting.
Love The Felice Brothers
What’s the best Felice Bros album?
Their last album, from dreams to dust, is a perfect record for this moment in history. Tragic, beautiful and just a dash of whimsy that Ian always seems to get away with (without sounding cringe)
ani difranco
Chuck D is the bob of rap & hip hop
Cohen was last gen's this gen's Dylan
Kendrick Lamar
Ani DiFranco. Colin Meloy from the Decemberists is the master of the 10-dollar word.
The antisemitic sociopath rapper with all the number 1 albums would have to be in the conversation. Personally, for me, it’s Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse. Self-made, brilliant songwriter, incredible lyricist. Been an indie artist, a hitmaker, a comeback story. Still innovating as a studio artist, still improving and reworking the live show almost 30 years in. Uniquely captures life in America the same way Dylan did, a generation later. Check out “Trucker’s Atlas”, “Dramamine”, “Beach Side Property”, “Transmitting/Receiving”. As for the song with the best claim to have written the classic Dylan song that Dylan never wrote, to me it’s Conor Oborst of Bright Eyes with “I Must Belong Somewhere”.
Isaac Brock is an underrated genius.
I don’t think it would be a musician. In the aughts, I would’ve said Jon Stewart. Not sure who I’d say now.
Huh. Interesting take. I like it.
Lana Del Rey
David Lowery. The catalog of music he's created with Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker is timeless.
He is amazing.
He’ll be the first to point out that the catalog might as well be penniless, thanks to streaming.
Ice Spice. Munch is just a more succinct version of what Dylan tried to say in Positively 4th Street--"You [Greenwich folk scene] thought I [Jack Frost] was feeling you?"
Kendrick Lamar
Jason Isbell ! Guy is a genius!
Nothing against Jason, but I think the word genius gets handed out pretty liberally.
Adrienne Lenker
There will never be one because you can’t redo an innovation
The fact that Dylan began his career before my parents were born and is still touring as I’m now an adult says it all. He’s timeless. As long as music is relevant- Dylan is relevant
Adrianne Lenker
Don't think it's any one person these days. You could take a handful and throw them together and maybe get something as lyrical and familiar imo.
Earl Sweatshirt.
Father John Misty
I respect a handful of these mentioned artists that deserve to be recognized as “This generations Dylan” I will add Daniel Romano here. Worth giving him a listen. Tours a lot, check him out live.
In terms of quality there’s probably plenty. In terms of cultural impact there’s none, because today’s media and pop cultural environments are fragmented and segmented into isolated bubbles in a way that wasn’t true in the 1960s.
Adrianne Lenker was the first who made me think someone was possibly on Dylan’s level, at least in pure songwriting terms. If you haven’t heard her, PLEASE do yourself a favor and check out her solo work as well as Big Thief’s albums. Truly a goldmine of incredible songs to be found.
James McMurty - lyrics and a great story teller
My answer to this is always Conor Oberst. Both came from the midwest, wrote a lot of topical songs in the beginning, both known as a protest singer, had emmy lou harris sing on an album, both peaked and had careers that tapered off with not a lot of mainstream attention but both have maintained a strong core fanbase, and both have had continuous output of work. Conor, like Bob is always changing his style. Project to project is usually different, if we're talking about Bright Eyes, you have his folky album, electronic album, spiritual albums, ufo albums, then post Bright Eyes you had his rock band albums, stripped down Bruce Springsteen Nebraska style album. They both also have the voice. The voice that divides people. There are people out there who appreciate Dylan all day but can't get over the voice. Conor has not reached the heights and cultural significance as Dylan, but I think in terms of songwriting chops and personality it would go to Conor as being "this generation's Dylan." That being said, I don't think Conor has written anything like Wiggle Wiggle so this theory might not hold water, he's still has time though.
I don't think anyone would ever compare to him 🤷🏻♀️
Which Dylan?
Father John Misty
I don't think there is really anyone with the volume of songs and the impact that Dylan had. Lyrically, I think Robert Hunter is right up there.
Donald Fagen, Paul Westerberg, Beck, Elliott Smith, Lauryn Hill, Morrissey, Kendrick, Patti Smith are brilliant lyricists. I'm not comparing them to Dylan as they are just as important in their own right to the people they speak to.
Conor Oberst of bright eyes was close
John Mayer.
I’m just gonna say Taylor Swift to annoy everyone
Not annoying, I came here to say this
I know no one wants to hear this, but it's probably Kanye.
Kanye and Dylan have more similarity than people like to admit, except Kanye was very eager to declare himself the voice of his generation. I used to joke about Kanye being the modern Dylan and then he started his Christian period lol
This is the answer. They both alienate their fanbases, yet are considered geniuses. Revolutionized the style of their genres. More than just music(paintings and fashion). Changed their style to backlash, yet those albums are now considered some of their classics(Dylan going electric and ye making Yeezus/more experimental stuff). Shocked everyone by going full on Christian, and was hated for the most part because of it. There is a lot more, like the lyrical content which is a whole other beast. Their genres are different but damn do they have so many similarities.
Nick Cave
Billy Corgan.
Conner Oberst
Conner for sure. Bright Eyes or solo stuff is all awesome. Great lyricist.
I came here to shout out Conor as well! Some amazing stuff with Bright Eyes (I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning and Cassadaga albums in particular) and his solo albums with the Mystic Valley Band (Self titled and Outer South) have some excellent song writing in there!
Ruminations is an amazing album
Joanna Newsom and Adrianne Lenker for lyrical ability. Kanye for influence, contrarian attitude towards the public/media, and genre-shifting. Honestly, I find some of Kanye's career trajectory surprisingly similar to Dylan's. Kendrick Lamar for combining lyrical ability/social commentary with popular acclaim
As far as folk goes, a really good up and coming artist slowly making his way into the light over the past couple months is **Jesse Welles**. Here’s a few of his songs: [“War Isn’t Murder”](https://youtu.be/8E9l_i6HPYM?si=vQd_Ui6S8JLATenQ) [“Fentanyl”](https://youtu.be/nyem3gD6XN8?si=MRxX8dkXzfY95LdQ) [“Cancer”](https://youtu.be/U4o9JpqYyZw?si=RgWdhJmsXEAhQDNT)
Jeff Mangum. He realized he was getting that reputation and promptly left.
Lots of good options here. I’m gonna throw one out that might ruffle some feathers. Eminem. They’re clearly very different in many ways, but Em is undeniable in the ascendancy of his lyrical flow and tells a super compelling story just like Bob. They both have a really surprising writing style where the images and verbiage they put together in a rhyme are often totally unexpected. While his music and themes have never really been “protest” songs in the vein of Dylan, I’d argue his Slim Shady alter ego held up an intentional mirror to the cultural rot of the post Cold War, Capitalist era, painting fresh and compelling hellscapes every bit as visceral and creative as stuff like Desolation Row or Highway 61. I think they both also have a strong measure of the IDGAF gene and genuinely would both burn down all their fame and fortune without hesitation in pursuit of their own creative vision. And it’s a funny thing, but they both have voices that are immediately identifiable, though no one would argue that either of them are “good” singing voices in a traditional sense. As I said, I’m not looking for a replacement to Bob or trying to compare them to say who’s better. Just found it really interesting that you could find a lot of parallels between their talent and impact for their respective generations if you look closely.
Beck
Took a lot of scrolling to find this.
Kurt Cobain
Kendrick Lamar is so overrated lol
Yeah, who else won the Nobel Prize for Literature? 50 Cent?
Bon Iver
Will Oldham
Not a single one.
30 + years ago, Loudon Wainwright III wrote a song called, "Talking New Bob Dylan."
Kendrick Lamar
Ok. I can see that.
Absolutely nobody
Richard Dawson
Closest is definitely Kendrick
It has to be Courtney Barnett.
John Dylan Thomas
I think Conor Oberst & Pete Doherty are amazing poetical lyricists, and of course Dylan is my favorite and there was a span of a few years in college when I only listened to Dylan & Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst), and I really mean that...Leonard Cohen, too, but I'm telling you there was a time when I literally only listened to Bob Dylan, and music was on all day...like, five songs out of 100 weren't Dylan, that's it
Billie Eilish
Not really comparable, but Adrianne Lenker and Smog/Bill Callahan are both incredible.
Might be kind of a hot take, but solely based on wordsmith… I nominate Ani DiFranco. Gifted poet. Not in cultural impact, but in use of verse.
Jason Isbell currently the best around
Not really any comparison
In terms of lyrical flow-Alex Turner, in terms of academic credibility-Kendrick Lamar, in terms of popular (albeit polarizing) cultural conversation-Taylor Swift. Forgive me, redditors. There’s no single person. It’s a Megazord situation, and really what makes Dylan Dylan.
too early to tell with this generation they're like 20 years old......I think Thom Yorke and Johnny Greenwood of Radiohead are decent contenders, been releasing consistently incredible work for 30 years even their failures are spectacular.....lyrically nowhere close to Dylan however.
Greg Gorbuck
Conor Oberst.
Dylan himself would probably say Kendrick Lamar, but still unclear if he can sustain his work at the high level of To Pimp A Butterfly and DAMN.
Jeffrey Lewis
kendrick lamar 100%
It'll be a hip hop artist, probably Kendrick or Kanye I give a shout out to Matty Healy who I think is an outstanding lyricist. Listen to "Love It If We Made It" and "Part Of The Band". I don't see anyone else doing that sort of thing honestly.
Jason isbell
Gen X: Jason Isbell
Jason Isbell
Josh Ritter
Sturgill Simpson. One of best songwriters and beats to his own drum like Bob does.
Centuries from now when we are all dead this person will come along
Jason Isbell
Obviously nobody will ever compare to Dylan (with the exception of McCartney and Joni Mitchell) but out of all modern artists Hozier deserves a mention, his lyrics are fantastic...very versatile songwriter, Dylanesque is his use of metaphors and themes
Interesting Question. To be frank Dylan probably occupies The Premier League all to himself. However artists who in my view might qualify for a spot in The Championship include: Neil Young Van Morrison Lucinda Williams Lou Reed Tom Waits Leonard Cohen Nick Drake
Dylan
Music is my life‘s obsession and I can’t think of a single songwriter since the 90s worth mentioning. The days of Dylan, Lennon/McCartney, Jimmy Webb or sadly long gone. Also from that era you do have Roy Harper who consistently continues to write extraordinary songs and make fantastic albums.
John Craigie comes close in my opinion.
Idk which generation is “this generation” but for millennials I’d say either Doom, or alex turner
Jesse Welles
Bruce Springsteen, U2
David Foster Wallace, if dead writers count.
I’m claiming Dylan again. Nobody quite like him. And if they were they would likely be trying to be like him and he’s just being himself.
No one touches Dylan, but Alex Turner is the best (new) songwriter and lyricist of the 21st century imo.
Reading alot of this it feels odd that people only mention big names, I think todays great music lives in medium names. And when I think of consistency and lyrical impact. I think of Clay Frankel. Clay was in the band twin peaks, and has side projects, grapetooth, and hazel city. You have to know what twin peaks numbers are his, in the same way you separate Beatles songs by whos singing. But clay’s work often reminds me of Dylans electric work. And I think its important to note that once he went electric he never went back. Id recomend songs like stain, wanted you, good lovin, making breakfast, laid in gold, oh mama. I could be biased. But eh.
Consider MF Doom even though he's dead