There’s no shortage of well-known bands in rock music. They pack stadiums and dominate the radio. However, among these household names are hidden gems with just as much talent and deserving recognition for their exceptional talent. These bands may not have achieved mainstream success yet, but their music still has a strong following and they are helping to define the future of rock with their music. Here, we shine a spotlight on some of the underrated bands you should know. Get ready to discover a treasure trove of excellent music and expand your rock music playlist.
The Joy Formidable
This indie rock band offer listeners a sound similar to Arcade Fire or Yeah Yeah Yeahs. They can be characterized as a perfect blend of atmospheric soundscapes, powerful guitar riffs, and enchanting vocals from lead singer Ritzy Bryan. Some of the group’s most notable songs include “Whirring” and “Cradle,” from their debut album The Big Roar. The album was mixed with the help of Rich Costly, who is known for his work with acts such as Muse and Foo Fighters. More recently the band has completed their fifth album entitled Into the Blue (2022). The entire discography of this band showcases the members’ unique ability to create catchy riffs and captivating melodies. The band’s talent is evident and they are easily one of the more underrated bands on this list.
The Struts
When you listen to The Struts, it’s easy to pick up their musical influences which include bands like Queen, The Strokes, and the Killers. You can hear the remanence of each of these bands in their sounds; however, this band is no copycat. They provide listeners with a healthy dose of arena glam rock energy, mixed with infectious hooks. Songs like “Could Have Been Me” and “Body Talks” are great first tracks to check out for a glimpse into their style and sound. The Struts are also known to captivate audiences with their electrifying performances, reminiscent of greats like The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. One of their other stand-out songs is “Wild Child” off of their 2020 album Strange Days, as it includes the epic talents of guitarist Tom Morello.
Wolf Alice
What makes Wolf Alice one of the most underrated rock bands? The band is known for its eclectic sound and the haunting vocals of lead singer Ellie Rowsell. Their music seamlessly blends elements of grunge, shoegaze, and folk music for a unique indie rock sound. Standout tracks include “Moaning Lisa Smile” and “Bros” from their 2016 release My Love Is Cool. This album did see some mainstream success with a 2016 Grammy nomination and a position on the US Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart. However, their ability to balance delicate melodies with raw, powerful instrumentals sets them apart and deserving of more recognition, which I think they’ll receive in the years to come.
Highly Suspect
Highly Suspect is a rock trio that infuses elements of blues, grunge, and alternative rock into their music. Their sound is uniquely gritty and their lyrics are introspective, offering fans something unique from many of the other bands out today. The band’s most successful song to date, “My Name is Human”, has had significant radio play and done solid streaming numbers. It was also nominated for Best Rock Song at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. The band’s 2019 album MCID saw more sound experimentation with heavy use of hip-hop and electropop. The band returned to their roots with the album The Midnight Demon Clud which included the standout track “Natural Born Killers.” Highly Suspect, while not underground, should have more recognition than it does today and is therefore a highly underrated band.
Nothing More
Hailing from Texas, the hard rock band Nothing More has been around since 2003. They’ve struggled over the years (unrightfully so) to be taken seriously by record labels. That is until they were discovered by Eleven Seven Music for a five-album deal. After that, they release a string of awesome hits including “Jenny”, “Mr. MTV”, and “This is the Time (Ballast)”. The group obviously has influences from System of a Down in their songs. Yet they offer something truly unique to hard rock lovers, by blending metal with progressive rock and pop. The powerful, raspy, and emotional vocals of lead singer Johnny Hawkins could pull in even the most casual hard rock listener. Mike Wengren of Disturbed even called Nothing More one of his favorite new bands in a recent article with Blabbermouth.net.
Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree is a progressive rock band that has been around since 1987. Over the years they’ve garnered quite the cult following as well as universal acclaim from critics. Publications like PopMatters have called them the “most important band you’ve never heard of.” Their music combines elements of psychedelic rock, metal, and alternative for a truly mesmerizing experience. It’s easy to tell that the band is influenced by Pink Floyd. They incorporate that influence masterfully into their unique music. The band’s deeply melancholic sound is also reminiscent of Radiohead. Especially with tracks like “Trains” and “Lazarus”. Known for their introspective lyrics, intricate compositions, and mesmerizing live performances, Porcupine Tree is easily one of the most underrated rock bands out there.
Fontaines D.C.
Fontaines D.C. is a post-punk Irish band that formed in 2017. They’ve been catching the attention of critics and fans ever since. They released their debut album Dogrel in 2019, with The Guardian rating it five stars and stating it was a “perfect debut”. If you like the Artic Monkeys, you’d probably enjoy this band. Their second album A Hero’s Death even received a nomination at the 2021 Grammy Awards. And with their latest album Skinty Fia, it’s exciting to see where the band could go next. Tracks to check out include “Jackie Down the Line” and “Roman Holiday”. Let’s hope there are many more years of music from this epic band.
Spector
As an indie band hailing from London, Spector offers listeners gritty rock riffs mixed with a new wave, syn-pop sound. The 80s new wave influence is highly recognized in top streamed songs like “All the Sad Young Men” and “I Won’t Wait”. Spector is the band on this list with the lowest Spotify streams, and that’s very surprising. Their sound has mainstream radio potential and they’ve played some big shows. They participated in Coachella Festival and have toured with Florence and the Machine. I hope we see way more music from this group in the years to come, as they are definitely one of the more underrated bands out there.
Conclusion
With rock music, there are so many hidden gems that often go unnoticed. These artists are just a few examples of underrated bands that deserve recognition for their exceptional talent and unique contributions to the genre. With streaming services and concerts available online, it’s easier today to explore lesser-known artists than ever before. Every artist deserves an audience and every music fan deserves to uncover their hidden gem.
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