Music is a form of expression and art. It’s meant to be enjoyed and created by many, whether a fan of pop, rock, or rap, music plays a key role in many of our lives. We listen to it on the way home, when we’re doing work, watching a movie, or just lying around. The great thing about music as well is that anyone can create it, given the right tools. Most musical artists don’t make it big, but music is almost always made for fun and to express emotions, situations, and thoughts.
With that being said, there are still many bands out there that are talented enough to be stars. However, their music is still quite underground, or just barely reaching the surface of stardom. So, if anyone would like to broaden their music taste or need a new band or two to listen to, this is a list of seven rock groups that deserve more attention!
Dying in Texas
Formed in 2022, Dying in Texas gained its small following by posting skits online promoting singles like Cherry Flavored Butterfly, and eventually their debut album Rest in Texas. The band’s signature sound consists of deep, distorted guitar that sounds resemblant to aggressive white noise, accompanied by lyrics with the motif of an ex-relationship. The band plans on releasing their sophomore album this spring, along with a self-made documentary following the recording process.
Red Sun Rising
How about a band that just screams modern rock? Something a dad would listen to? There’s no other place for that than Red Sun Rising. Their discography consists of three albums; however, their debut is self-released and available on YouTube. The sound on their last two albums is phenomenal, to say the least. It feels like a rebirthed version of the 1980s to 1990s era of rock. As of this moment, the band is on hiatus, but their return will certainly be something extraordinary.
Los Campesinos!
Need a band that sounds playful and has more British slang than the average Arctic Monkeys song? Look no further, Los Campesinos! is exactly that. Formed in 2006, the seven-piece band has had two recognizable sounds in their 18-year history. Their early music feels like a couple of bored college students having fun recording a few silly tracks about romance, characterized by energetic singing from a male and female duo along with sporadic, riveting guitars and melodious keyboards. The rawest example of this sound is their 2008 debut Hold On Now, Youngster…
Their works from 2010 onward are less sporadic in their playing and have a more mature feel. It’s indie-pop at its finest, with tracks like Hello Sadness and Avocado, Baby. The band has announced that they’ve recently finished recording their seventh studio album, so if this band seems like a match, look forward to a new release sometime in the near future!
Vundabar
Looking for a band that’s wacky and goofy? Vundabar’s definitely one to listen to. The three-piece band from Boston has had a variety of different sounds among their 6 albums. Want an album that gives the feeling of going to the beach in June? Then be sure to check out their album Either Light! How about an album someone can play in the background while doing something? There’s also their album Gawk! Another great thing about Vundabar is their live shows. Vundabar’s all over the place, nobody could ever get bored when the band’s treating the stage like a trampoline while playing their band staples. Overall, Vundabar is definitely a fantastic band to check out and follow.
Good Kid
If there’s any band that is the embodiment of feel-good, this is the one. When listening to Good Kid’s music, it’s easy for someone to imagine themselves in situations where they’re having the time of their life, almost like they’re in a movie. The band’s sound is fast-paced and bubbly, which seems like it shouldn’t compliment the lyrics about relationship difficulties, but it strangely does. It makes listeners feel proud and on top of the world instead of lowly as other songs about the same thing do.
Good Kid’s discography consists of three EPs and four singles, two of which are promotional for their upcoming fourth EP. If no one has given them a listen yet, this is a band that’s greatly recommended, especially if someone is just getting into the modern rock scene.
The Front Bottoms
This is the type of band that isn’t anyone’s favorite, but many people listen to and enjoy. Something about the melodies and the sound implementing both acoustic and electric guitar makes it sound basic yet abstract in a way. There’s not much to say about this band in particular, it’s best to just listen and enjoy. They’re one of those bands that people immediately think are okay at best on their first listen, but they’ll eventually make their way onto playlists without even realizing it. A good album to start with is 2015’s Talon of the Hawk, it provides a good basis for what the rest of their discography will sound like.
Car Seat Headrest
The best way to describe this band is when a couple of teenagers decide they want to make music for fun. The band fully embodies the feel and sound of garage rock, and with a total of eight albums, there’s enough of them to go around. Their songs always border the line between nonsensical and meaningful, leaving room for those who want to just listen to music or examine it on a deeper level. A great starting place to getting a real feel for Car Seat Headrest’s sound is on their 2015 album Teens of Denial.
These days, everyone’s looking to broaden their musical horizons or release their own music. That being said, there are a couple bands that are worth a listen or two. It’s highly suggested that anyone viewing this should always consider listening to something new from time to time, whether it be a new artist or an entirely different genre. There’s music for everyone, and more bands and artists in the world than people could ever imagine.
