Beth Orton

Elizabeth Caroline Orton, better known as the English singer-songwriter Beth Orton, was born on December 14, 1970. She caught the attention of audiences and critics alike with her intimate folk music, enhanced with electronic elements. This sound, particularly evident on her first two albums — Trailer Park (1996) and Central Reservation (1999)—helped establish a style known as folktronica. The hit “Stolen Car” is one of the standout tracks on Central Reservation.

Her connection to electronic music dates back to the early 1990s, when she collaborated on projects by producer William Orbit. The singer’s beautiful voice can also be heard on the track “Alive Alone” from the debut album (Exit Planet Dust) by the duo The Chemical Brothers.

Daybreaker, Beth Orton’s third and critically acclaimed album, was released in 2002. Less electronic and more folk-oriented, the album features Ryan Adams, Johnny Marr, and The Chemical Brothers among its collaborators.

In 2006, she released her fourth album, Comfort of Strangers. The 14 tracks on this album were recorded in just two weeks with producer Jim O’Rourke. Six years later, in October 2012, Sugaring Season was released. Her 2016 album, Kidsticks, was co-produced by Andrew Hung, a member of the duo Fuck Buttons. In 2022, the singer released Weather Alive, an album whose primary sonic element is a used piano she bought at Camden Market in London.

The Ground Above (2026) serves as a natural continuation of Weather Alive, further exploring Beth Orton’s blend of folk and jazz elements within an indie sound.