With the advent of the pop-punk revival music over the past couple of years or so, I’ve been getting back into the genre. I completed a round-up review based around pop-punk a few months ago and felt like it was time to reinvigorate the series with some new picks of my own. The tracks here all have elements of the style, although some do veer into emo territory at times. Nevertheless, they’re all definitely worth a listen!
Review by Jane Howkins
Photo by President Elect
President Elect – Addicted
First up are President Elect, a London band who mix pop-punk with the indie genre, making for one fantastic package overall. The vocals on Addicted have an edge to them, following the main staccato guitar lines of the piece. The verses have a slightly eerie quality, before the more positive chorus kicks in, sounding catchy in all its glory. The production is a little raw, but it actually helps to make the music sound more genuine, also hinting at the punk rock genre. Check out these guys below!
Social media: Facebook, Spotify, Soundcloud, Youtube, Instagram, TikTok
Between The Frames – Chin Up Kid
Chin Up Kid astounded me when I first heard it, as it really does have that classic pop-punk sound that we all love. Between The Frames is a British act that are surely set to fly, based on how good this tune is! The acoustic guitars on the verses are a nice touch, adding something a little different into the pop-punk genre. The chorus elevates things even higher, with a set of synths added into the crashing riffs. The emotion in the vocals is particularly palpable, tying everything together nicely.
Social media: Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Soundcloud, Youtube, Instagram
Jake Aarons – Right Time
Right Time is a track from Jake Aarons’ new album, Baby Blue. Despite being one of the poppier offerings on this list, it still fits the pop-punk genre well – especially in terms of Jake’s wonderful vocal delivery. A sparse guitar melody runs through the piece, underpinning the track well against the bass and drums that make up the rhythm section. Jake’s vocals repeat the title of the song, ensuring that it will get stuck in your head in no time! The female vocals harmonise perfectly with Jake’s voice, tailing the track out in a gorgeous way.
Social media: Linktree, Spotify, Youtube, Instagram
Darrian Gerard – Basement Stadium
Darrian Gerard is a singer-songwriter based in Canada, with Everybody’s Mad At Me being one of the songs from her fantastic new EP, Basement Stadium. It starts out with a lovely acoustic guitar melody, before Darrian’s amazing vocals kick in. It’s a little different from some of the other songs on this list, but I felt that Darrian’s voice suited the pop-punk genre well. The beat kicks in after a while, amplifying the tune even further. There’s a lot of emotion contained within Darrian’s vocals, and you can really feel what she’s singing in this amazing track.
Social media: Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Soundcloud, Youtube, Instagram, Tiktok
Dallas & The Wvlf – What A Shame
What A Shame also includes elements of the mainstream pop and hip-hop genres as well as pop-punk (just check out the drums at the start), making for a fantastic mix of sounds. The verses are lighter, whereas the choruses raise things to a heavier level, seeing Dallas & The Wvlf making full use of their dynamics. A palm-muted guitar riff chugs along in the background, alongside a mellower melody that runs throughout the piece. It’s an impressive piece of work and one that shows an artist capable of some fantastic songwriting.
Social media: Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Youtube, Instagram
The Kid And I – Heart Strings
The Kid And I is a British band, showing just how wonderful our home grown talent is! Whilst it does have some moments of pop-punk, Heart Strings also includes elements of alt rock, indie and modern rock, making for a fantastic overall sound. It has a slow, staccato rhythm – the drums, bass and guitars work together to raise the tension as the song progresses. The backing vocals also add a nice melodic touch – I’m a sucker for a good harmony! I’m hoping these guys might announce a UK tour soon, they’re that good!
Social media: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Soundcloud, Youtube, Instagram
Stereo Dive Foundation (SDF) – Sparkles
It’s not often that I get to hear music from Japan – particularly pop-punk music – so I was delighted to discover Stereo Dive Foundation (SDF). Sparkles is more of a pop song at heart, but the vocals are very reminiscent of the pop-punk style, so it should still have some appeal. The verses are quite subtle, whereas the choruses add a heavier element, sounding utterly anthemic. The vocals are full of emotion and the high notes are really impressive to behold! I just wish I knew more Japanese so I could understand the lyrics, as they’re clearly full of passion.
Social media: Website, Twitter, Spotify, Youtube, Instagram
Single By Sunday – Reputation
Single By Sunday are a Scottish band that have built up quite a following, and it’s easy to see why with Reputation! The track has that classic pop-punk sound we’ve all come to know and love, sounding like something straight out of the noughties! It’s incredibly catchy (just check out that epic chorus), full of buzzsaw riffs and crooning vocals. The vocals are quite low on the verse, yet they rise up higher on the choruses, showing a good range. The beat will have you tapping your feet along in no time!
Social media: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Youtube, Instagram, TikTok
In Theaters Friday – Punk Song
Punk Song is one of the heaviest songs on this list, aligning more with traditional punk rock at times. In Theaters Friday also bring an indie and garage rock sound to their music, featuring a selection of choppy guitar riffs that sound immense throughout. The chord sequence on the chorus seems simple at first, but it works really well, sounding incredibly catchy. The guitar solo towards the end is also really impressive, showing some fantastic technical chops. This is a must listen song!
Social media: Website, Spotify, Youtube, Instagram, Twitter
2/14 – Crystal Ball
Crystal Ball explodes with energy from the very start, featuring perhaps the fastest tempo on this list! The drums and guitars clash together in an incredible way, creating a massive wall of sound that never really lets up! 2/14’s vocals have that typical pop-punk sound – whilst they do sound slightly distant at times underneath the music, they still sound amazing. One of the things I loved so much about this track was the way in which the band managed to make such a heavy track sound so catchy – hopefully our readers will love it too!
Social media: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Youtube, Instagram, Songkick, TikTok
Poison Oak – Found Myself
Poison Oak is a collaborative band from the Queensland area – it’s one of the poppier songs on this list, but it still makes for a fantastic listen! The vocal harmonies were one of the first things that struck me on listening to Found Myself – they meld well with the spiky guitar melodies that characterise this tune so well. The beat has a proper stomp to it, ensuring this song will get stuck in your head for hours to come! This track will also appeal to fans of indie and modern rock, as well as the pop-punk scene.
Social media: Facebook, Spotify, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Youtube, Instagram
Hollow River – Aspartame
Hollow River is a project created by Canadian musician Mark McDonald, who mixes quite a few different styles together. Aspartame isn’t a typical pop-punk song, but it still hints at the genre. Mark raps the verse vocals, moving to singing on the catchy chorus. The acoustic guitars on the verses actually sound quite folky at times, with an electric guitar being added on the chorus to make things sound a bit heavier. Aspartame really is a unique sounding song, having vast appeal across different genre boundaries – it’s one of my favourite songs on this list!
Social media: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Youtube, Instagram
Drum N’ Jack – Indelebile
Indelebile is a song created by Italian band Drum N’ Jack – it’s an old school pop-punk tune, inspired by bands like Blink 182. You can certainly hear their influences in the track, but the music is certainly good enough to stand on its own two feet! The vocals are really melodic, sounding absolutely perfect throughout. The track breaks down towards the end, adding a pretty piano trickle as it builds back up into another astounding chorus. These guys are not to be missed!
Social media: Facebook, Spotify, Youtube, Instagram
Bishop Takes Queen – All That I Am
Emerging with an instant hit of energy is killer track All That I Am, carefully crafted by Bishop Takes Queen, a rising rock band with a punky edge. The tempo is really fast, suiting the style of music well, with a driving rhythm that’s enough to ignite a fire in the heart. The energy never really lets up – whilst the chorus takes on a slightly steadier beat, it’s still consistent, drawing you in straight away with all its catchy goodness. This is a band set to take the world by storm!
Social media: Website, Facebook, Spotify, Youtube, Instagram
Inkakai – Drown
Finnish band Inkakai have previously worked with people such as Swedish producer Max Martin, so you can be sure that their music will be infectiously catchy! Drown is of no exception, opening with some luscious synths that give the pop-punk scene a slightly different flavour to what you might normally expect. The entire thing is infectious to behold, but the chorus really elevates things, also seeing the singing turn into something of a scream at times. It’s certainly a unique offering!
Social media: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Youtube, Instagram
Todd Morse – Screaming Babies
Todd Morse has the perfect voice for this genre – it’s slightly raw, yet also has a catchy bent, even sounding pretty soulful at times! Screaming Babies is more of a third wave ska-punk song than a straight-up pop-punk tune, featuring an immense rhythm that is characterised by the pulsating beat and bass. The guitars have that classic ska sound, running well with the rhythm section. The entire track is fantastic, but the chorus will draw you in, making you want to sing along straight away!
Social media: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Soundcloud, Youtube, Instagram
Kaleigh – Situationship
Situationship starts out sounding almost like a metal song at first, with some immense guitar work opening the track up. As soon as the first verse starts, Kaleigh’s amazing vocals arrive, taking the track down to a slightly lighter tone. She’s got a fantastic vocal range, really belting out the lyrics over the music in a stylistic manner. This is a track that combines a few different rock and punk genres together, but it sounds all the better for it – Kaleigh is an artist not to be missed!
Social media: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Soundcloud, Youtube, Instagram