4 of the Best Rock Songs of the 2020s (So Far)

The 2020s are about halfway done, and there have been so many incredible tunes to come out in the last few years. This short list is simply a matter of opinion; if you have a favorite rock song that came out in the 2020s that we didn’t mention, drop your recs in the comments! 

Let’s take a look at a few of the best rock songs to come out of the 2020s.

1. “American Teenager” by Ethel Cain

Singer/songwriter Ethel Cain has had a wild couple of years since the release of her critically acclaimed concept album Preacher’s Daughter. One standout track on that album is “American Teenager”, a glittering heartland rock track with folk elements that make it all the more addicting. It’s wild how a song about intergenerational trauma can be such a delightful little slice of music.

2. “I Don’t Live Here Anymore” by The War On Drugs

This 2021 track from The War On Drugs is one of the best rock songs to come out thus far in the 2020s. “Harmonia’s Dream” may have nabbed a Grammy nom, but we’re particularly fond of the title track from I Don’t Live Here Anymore. Indie pop outfit Lucius makes an appearance on the song, but they don’t detract from the song’s indie rock roots.

3. “Not Strong Enough” by Boygenius

This song has been making the rounds on TikTok nonstop since its release in 2023. Indie rock and indie folk are definitely having a resurgence this decade, and Boygenius could easily become one of the biggest supergroups of the decade in either genre. “Not Strong Enough” is a multi-genre delight, with lyrics that poetically explore mental illness, gender roles, and relationships.

4. “Bending Hectic” by The Smile

The Smile is not Radiohead, but it certainly comes close in terms of quality. “Bending Hectic” came out back in 2023 and is by far one of the best rock songs of the 2020s. Written by Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead and Tom Skinner of Sons Of Kemet, “Bending Hectic” is an excellent example of how post-rock tunes are changing this decade… for the better.

Photo by Debbie Hickey/Getty Images

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