20 recent songs that prove rock and roll is not dead

I’m going to see Bruce Springsteen finish his Land of Hope & Dreams tour at Nationals Park in Washington, DC, just a few hours after I finish writing this. It’s about three miles from the White House, and even though it might rain, the show will go on! I’m expecting a fantastic time.

I’ve been a Bruce Springsteen fan ever since his album Born to Run came out in 1975. I last saw him perform about two years ago in Baltimore. I’m definitely a devoted fan, but I disagree with a lot of people – both my generation and younger ones – who claim that rock and roll would be dead without artists like Bruce, Mick, Paul McCartney, and Bob Dylan.

If you’re at all into rock music, you’ve probably heard people say something like, “Rock is terrible now, and it’s been going downhill since I grew up.” I disagree. Rock and roll is still great – you just have to know where to find it.

Things aren’t like they used to be – back in the good old days, whenever those were for you. Rock music isn’t as popular as it once was; it’s no longer the leading genre. That makes discovering new rock a little tougher, but it’s still out there if you look for it.

Let me illustrate with some recent releases from bands that started in the 2000s. I’ve listened to all these songs within the last week. I’m not saying these are the best modern rock tracks, just that they’re new and enjoyable.

I’ve generally preferred punk to classic rock, but I think this list represents a solid overview of what most people would consider rock music. I wrote it down as I was listening, so the order isn’t based on any particular logic.

How rock & roll is that?

“Lost” by A Place to Bury Strangers” (2026)

I started thinking about new music recently after hearing a song called “Lost” by Brooklyn band A Place to Bury Strangers. I hadn’t really enjoyed their music before – it’s a pretty noisy, atmospheric style of rock – but I decided to give it a chance. It’s only three minutes long, and after a slow start, I actually found myself liking the song’s powerful, echoing sound. It made me realize there might be other great new rock music out there that I’ve been missing.

“Water Underground” by Real Estate (2024)

I’ve been aware of the band Real Estate for a bit, and I was trying to think of other New York bands when I decided to finally check out their album, Daniel. It’s totally different from A Place to Bury Strangers – where they’re all noise and shadows, Real Estate is just beautiful, sunny pop. But the cool thing is, it’s smart sunshine pop, it doesn’t feel empty or dumb like some other bands that go for that vibe.

“Velcro” by Stand Atlantic (2026)

I loved the song “Lavender Bones” by this Australian band back in 2018, and they’ve continued to release good albums, even during the pandemic. Now, they’re back with a fresh, energetic sound that builds on their pop punk style – it has all the potential to be a big pop rock success.

“Too Late to Say” by State Champs (2026)

Back to NY – this time the state capital – for a happy throwback to classic ‘90s pop punk.

“Live Laugh Toaster Bath” by WSTR (2026)

This band from Liverpool offers a fresh, modern spin on pop punk, perfect for fans of Blink-182 and Sum 41. Think of it as a new take on the classic ‘Fat Lip’ sound.

“Spine” by Jetty Bones (2025)

Ohio’s Kelc Galluzzo (AKA Jetty Bones) is indie Paramore.

“Nothing Has Changed” by Jack River (2023)

I’ve found that these songs often go well together – when I listen to State Champs, I immediately want to hear WSTR. Similarly, after listening to Jetty Bones, I always crave some Jack River, whose song “Adolescent” was one of my favorites in 2019. Australian artist Holly Rankin creates upbeat, energetic pop music with a bit of an edge.

“Flea” by St. Vincent (2024)

Just checking if you’re listening! If you’re not familiar with St. Vincent, you shouldn’t be saying rock and roll is dead. Annie Clark is a major figure in contemporary rock – whether you call it alternative or indie. Her song “Flea” won a Grammy in 2025 for Best Alt Music Performance, and another track from her album All Born Screaming won Best Rock Song. Personally, I slightly prefer “Flea” to “Broken Man,” which is also a fantastic recent rock song.

“Versus the Villain” by Hannah Wicklund (2026)

Hannah Wicklund, a guitarist from South Carolina, plays energetic rock music reminiscent of the band Heart. However, like Heart, she also excels at softer, acoustic rock, and this song showcases that side of her talent.

“Won’t Take Me Alive” by Dirty Honey (2023)

Their latest single is a remake of the Bad Company song “Rock Steady,” which hints at their musical influences. This track actually reminds me more of Aerosmith. You can find both the studio recording and a live version from last year, but either way, it’s a revival of that classic 1970s rock sound.

“Juniper” by Joyous Wolf (2026)

Although their new album isn’t released yet, the band just shared a single that continues their excellent 70s rock sound, with a bit of a Humble Pie influence.

“The Hard Way” by Goodbye June (2024)

If AC/DC had come from Nashville, they would have been Goodbye June.

“Six Pack” by Wine Lips (2024)

And if Ricky Wilson had not died young, I think this is where the B-52s would have ended up.

“Dead Silence” by Frankie & the Witch Fingers (2025)

Ever wondered what the movie ‘Cars’ would sound like if it collaborated with the 13th Floor Elevators? This Indiana band delivers that vibe with a mix of new wave, psychedelic sounds, and garage rock.

“I Like it, It’s Nice” by Iguana Death Cult (2026)

Okay, I’ll be honest, the name totally got me. When I saw a band from the Netherlands with “death” in it, I just assumed they were black metal. But man, was I surprised! They’ve got a little bit of that darkness, sure, but they blend it with this really cool, jazzy vibe and some noise rock that just sticks in your head – it’s seriously catchy.

“Purgatory Silverstar” by Djo (2025)

You probably recognize Joe Keery as Steve Harrington from Stranger Things. But in this song, his style is reminiscent of John Lennon’s work on “Norwegian Wood.”

“Chaos Magnet” by Crashdiet (2026)

Do you ever think about the band Poison? I don’t really, but I still enjoy listening to this band – they have a cool, grungy glam rock sound. Maybe it’s because they’re from Sweden that makes them so appealing.

“Catch Me if You Can” by Hardcore Superstar (2022)

Okay, so I’ll say it again – hair metal isn’t usually my thing. But lately, I haven’t been hearing it constantly like I did back in the 80s, and honestly, a little bit here and there is kinda cool. I recently stumbled on a song called “You Can’t Kill My Rock ‘n Roll” by a Swedish band – it came out in 2018 – and it’s exactly the kind of big, singalong arena rock anthem you’d expect.

“Ol’ Father Time” by Jonathan Wilson (2023)

If you’re a Pink Floyd fan who prefers their earlier work, like the album Meddle, you’ll likely enjoy the music of Jonathan Wilson. He’s a contemporary singer-songwriter who captures a similar vibe.

“Hollywood Junkyard” by the Bobby Lees (2022)

As you may know if you follow my writing, I’m a huge fan of contemporary punk music. This band is one of my favorites! While their recent singles are fantastic, I want to highlight their previous album. It’s full of energetic punk with thoughtful lyrics, a really catchy bassline, and an incredible lead singer.

In his insightful book about the history of music in New York City, called This Must Be the Place, Jesse Rifkin points out that a scene can thrive even if you’re not aware of it.

Look, let’s be real – rock isn’t the same as it was back in the day, and honestly, I don’t think anyone wants it to be. But that doesn’t mean there’s no good stuff out there! I’m finding tons of new bands and new music every month that’s totally worth checking out. And that’s just scratching the surface, seriously.

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2026-05-28 18:01