Aaron J. Leonard’s new book draws from almost 10,000 pages of F.B.I. files on an array of folk artists. It aims to illustrate the considerable impact that the U.S. government’s campaign against Communism had on folk artists in the 1940s and early ’50s.

Williams came to write “Mary Lou’s Mass” to capture her feeling of suffering—and its apotheosis.

Like a master painter’s sketchbooks, “Archives” is uniquely revealing of the roots of Joni Mitchell’s distinctive voice both as a singer and a writer.

An austere film about a drummer going deaf finds revelation in the quiet moments.

As is so often the case with old songs, the middle verses bear the greater load of meaningful content (and are also, incidentally, the first forgotten.)

From three 20-somethings, here are the musical selections that have helped us to remember and thank 2020.