The 20 best rock songs right now
January’s list includes Soccer Mommy, Waxahatchee, Hayley Williams, The 1975, and more.
Soccer Mommy, “Circle The Drain”
Sophie Allison sings of days that “thin me out or just burn me straight through” on this quietly devastating new song. Written about dealing with the loss of her mom, “Circle The Drain” is another example of Soccer Mommy’s music pulling her through moments of devastation.
Every month The FADER brings you the best rock songs in the world (in no particular order).
Hayley Williams, “Simmer”
Hayley Williams steps away from Paramore temporarily and into a darker, sleeker sound than the ‘80s pop maximalism the band has explored in recent years. All ears will be on Petals For Armor when it drops in May.
Nap Eyes, “Mark Zuckerberg”
Despite what Nap Eyes suggest here, Mark Zuckerberg does not collect sand. You can believe he might, though, which is a quietly sick burn from the band out of Halifax, Novia Scotia.
Porridge Radio, “Sweet”
British group Porridge Radio light the touch paper of their debut album Every Bad, due March 13, with this explosive track. Get ready to hear a lot about this band in 2020.
Waxahatchee, “Fire”
There will never not be a good time for a new Katie Crutchfield record.
Andy Shauf, “Fire Truck”
With two concept albums (2016’s The Party and new one Neon Skyline) Andy Shauf has established himself as an excellent bard of the big night out. “Fire Truck” is a personal favorite from Neon Skyline but the album is best devoured whole.
Too Free, "No Fun"
Carson Cox of Merchandise (a band that truly deserved a better fate) returns alongside singer Awad Bilal and Don Godwin for a super-fun electronic pop project. “No Fun” is catchy and moves in all the right directions.
The 1975, “Me & You Together Song”
“We went to Winter Wonderland and it was shit but we were happy.” Sub in your city’s worst tourist attraction for maximum effect.
King Krule, “(Don't Let The Dragon) Draag On”
Archy Marshall, a singer who sounds perennially as if he’s crooning in moonlight, returns with another shadowy slice of melancholic pop.
Tops, “I Feel Alive”
Tops wrote a great new song for everyone who is coming to the end of a healthy January and is excited to dive straight back into their old vices as soon as the month is over.
Mura Masa, “Teenage Headache Dreams”
Ellie Rowsell of British band Wolf Alice joins Mura Masa on a dramatic and bouncy highlight from his surprisingly rock-y new album RYC.
Westerman, “Blue Comanche”
Westerman continues to impress with “Blue Comanche,” a dark and beautiful song filled with imagery of cyborgs and sunfall.
Ghum, “California”
London-based band Ghum sing in Spanish over aqueous and pounding drums, calling to mind recent greats DIIV and Warpaint.
Shady Nasty, “AA”
Australian trio Shady Nasty speak to declining mental health, a band member’s lung operation, and losing your mind playing RPGs on this corrosive, paranoid song.
Mitski, “Cop Car”
In a deeply ‘90s move, all of your faves (Soccer Mommy, Empress Of, Vagabon, and more) have contributed new songs to the soundtrack for horror movie The Turning (15% score on Rotten Tomatoes, sorry). Mitski boasts of immortality on her contribution “Cop Car,” which is good news for those waiting on her next album.
Yumi Zouma, “Cool For A Second”
In their own subtle way, Yumi Zouma have become a reliably excellent source of shimmering nostalgia-pop. “Cool For A Second” doesn’t divert from that path, making a troubled relationship sound idyllic amid soft synths and chiming guitars.
Braids, “Young Buck”
Who’d have guessed Braids would namecheck Young Buck before 50 Cent in 2020?
Porches, “Do U Wanna”
Porches returns with “Do U Wanna,” a mournful dancefloor eulogy and the first taste of his new album Ricky Music, due March 13.
Half Waif, “Ordinary Talk”
Nandi Rose finds strength through isolation on her sparse and spectral new single.
Austra, “Risk It”
This song works just as well if you imagine she’s singing about whiskey.