The State of Rock Right Now
If you only follow the mainstream charts, you might be forgiven for thinking rock has faded away. But venture past the algorithm and you'll find a thriving ecosystem of new bands drawing on punk, blues, grunge, hard rock, and post-punk — and doing genuinely exciting things with those traditions. Here are ten acts worth your time.
1. Wet Leg (Isle of Wight, UK)
Wet Leg burst onto the scene with one of the most self-assured debut singles in recent memory — "Chaise Longue" — and their self-titled debut album confirmed they were more than a viral moment. Dry wit, angular guitars, and an effortlessly cool post-punk-pop sensibility make them one of the most refreshing rock bands to emerge in years.
2. Amyl and the Sniffers (Melbourne, Australia)
Pure, uncut pub rock energy. Amy Taylor's stage presence is genuinely fearless, and the band's guitar work is simultaneously raw and tight. If you miss the feel of early AC/DC or The Saints, Amyl and the Sniffers are a direct line to that Australian rock spirit.
3. Idles (Bristol, UK)
Post-punk with political teeth. Idles aren't subtle, but they're not supposed to be. Their records deal with masculinity, grief, Brexit, and identity through massive, cathartic guitar rock. Brutalism and Joy as an Act of Resistance are essential listening.
4. Greta Van Fleet (Frankenmuth, Michigan)
The most debated band in rock right now. Critics accuse them of being too derivative of Led Zeppelin; their fans argue they're keeping classic rock alive with genuine chops. Both things can be true. Whatever you think of the influences, singer Josh Kiszka's vocal range is remarkable.
5. Fontaines D.C. (Dublin, Ireland)
Literary post-punk with a strong sense of place. Fontaines D.C. write about Dublin with the kind of specificity that somehow makes their music universally resonant. Their progression from the raw debut Dogrel to the gothic atmospherics of Skinty Fia shows a band with real artistic ambition.
6. Militarie Gun (Los Angeles, California)
Melodic hardcore meeting 90s alt-rock. If you like your rock songs short, hook-laden, and slightly bruised, Militarie Gun are doing something genuinely exciting at the intersection of punk and power pop.
7. Warish (San Diego, California)
Fuzz-drenched garage rock with a genuine taste for the dark side. For fans of early Mudhoney, The Stooges, or any band that prioritises feel over polish. Warish play like something's chasing them.
8. Mdou Moctar (Agadez, Niger)
Technically not a "new" artist, but dramatically underknown in Western markets. Mdou Moctar plays Tuareg rock — desert blues fused with psychedelic rock guitar — and his live performances are extraordinary. Afrique Victime is one of the great rock albums of recent years.
9. Horsegirl (Chicago, Illinois)
Noise pop and 90s indie influences filtered through a decidedly fresh perspective. Horsegirl wear their influences openly — Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo, early Pavement — but their debut Versions of Modern Performance sounds distinctly their own.
10. Lambrini Girls (Brighton, UK)
Furious, funny, and politically charged punk rock. Lambrini Girls are doing something that feels urgent right now — raw guitar music with a clear point of view and the energy to back it up. One of the most exciting live acts in the UK.
How to Find More
The best way to discover new rock is through the communities around it: independent music publications, subreddits dedicated to specific subgenres, Bandcamp's genre discovery tools, and the support slots of bands you already love. The next great rock band is out there — you just have to look slightly off the beaten path.