Editor's note:

While folk music is no longer mainstream in China, some popular TV talent shows have recently brought it back into the spotlight. And if you like poems or want to enjoy a cup of coffee in a quiet bar, folk music from a group of young Chinese singers makes a nice accompaniment. With its poetic or funny lyrics, slow tempo and melodies, the music is the young generation's way of understanding love and fights in their lives.

Here we choose seven popular young folk singers and their masterpieces in recent years.

Zhou Yunpeng. [Photo/VCG]

Zhou Yunpeng

Zhou lost his sight at age 9. He began to play guitar when he was 15. Leading a vagrant life from 24, his experiences on the street later found their way into Zhou's music.

Without the ability to see, Zhou interprets the world and people around him through his ears. This special relationship with the outside world allows Zhou to have a stronger and deeper impact on those he can't see.

Zhou was praised as a "poet-musician", and his song Speechless Love, won the 2011 People's Literature Award, an important literature prize in China.

Click here to listen to Zhou's Speechless Love

Liang Xiaoxue. [Photo/VCG]

Liang Xiaoxue

Born in Beijing in 1983, Liang Xiaoxue was named by his fans as "Jack Johnson in a small restaurant". With the release of his first album Floral Times, Liang officially started his music career in 2010. He went on to release second and third albums I'll Be There and Time Left Unsolved Problems.

His music was inspired by Western folk songs and jazz, yet still retained the fresh and simple style of Chinese folk music with his raspy singing voice adding a sensual personal touch.

Click to listen to Liang's Jimi and Lucy.

Hua Zhou. [Photo/VCG]

Hua Zhou

The name of the singer known as Hua Zhou, which literally means flower porridge, is still a mystery.

Hua was born in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in 1993 and issued her first album at age 22. She first became popular on a website for independent musicians and singers to share their music on Douban, the country's top TV and film fan website.

Her lazy voice and authentic and sometimes barbaric lyrics won her many followers.

Click here to listen to Hua Zhou's One Day at Age 20

Ma Di. [Photo/VCG]

Ma Di

In the winter of 2015, the song Nan Shan Nan, became a hit when it was adapted by many Chinese universities and colleges. Each one of them had its own version of the song with new lyrics, expressing young people's dreams, reflections and hopes for their school lives.

The original music and lyrics were from a young singer called Ma Di, who was born in Beijing in 1989. Ma didn't release his first album Lonely Island until 2014 and had a national tour the following year.

The young musician was deeply affected by two famous modern Chinese poets: Gu Cheng and Hai Zi. Ma was also described as "a boy singing melancholy songs" by his fans.

Click here to listen to Ma's Nan Shan Nan

Chen Hongyu. [Photo/VCG]

Chen Hongyu

Chen named one of his songs after the city Erguna in Inner Mongolia autonomous region where he was born. He majored in media studies in college yet became a folk singer.

Born in 1989, Chen got his first guitar in 2002 and independently composed his first song in 2005. He issued two albums last year and one this year. His music is influenced by Hong Kong band Beyond and American rock band Nirvana.

Chen's songs are popular for their simple and pure lyrics and melodies.

Click here to listen to Chen's Erguna

Zhao Lei. [Photo/VCG]

Zhao Lei

In the spotlight again, Zhao Lei, the 31 year-old folk singer, appeared on a TV talent show and recalled people's memories of folk music through his story-like songs.

Zhao started to play guitar when he was in senior middle school and the song A Girl from Southern China on his first album issued in 2011 won him a lot of followers.

He went to many places in China, including Shaanxi, Gansu, Yunnan and Tibet, which provided plenty of inspiration. Before rising to fame, Zhao once sang at many underground passages in Beijing. Lucky for him, he has a supportive family who firmly encouraged his music career though he gave up college for music.

Click here to listen to Zhao Lei's A Woman in Her 30s.

Cheng Bi. [Photo/VCG]

Cheng Bi

Peking University graduate Cheng Bi has received a lot of attention since she released her first album in 2012.

Her voice was described as fresh as a cup of green tea by her followers, and her poetic lyrics and light melodies have a soothing effect on listeners' minds.

"I create those songs and take poems as lyrics to comfort myself and also others. Many sounds and voices became my inspirations, such as the drum beating during festivals," Cheng said.

Click here to listen to Cheng Bi's One Night on the Spring Equinox