Crank up the volume, and brace yourselves for an epic journey through the best rock songs of 2024. Trust this list to give you a handpicked selection of this year’s rock anthems, crowdranked and primed to rock your playlist. The criteria we’ve used is pretty straightforward: it’s got to be new, it's got to be rock, and above all, it’s got to have compelled the masses to tap their feet or nod their heads in rhythm.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds have tied their emotions into the powerful offering, "Wild God," a melody echoing loss and spiritual exploration. Then, we've got The Black Keys taking us to a metaphoric "Nowhere," with a track co-written by Beck, known for its symbolic lyrics. Must-listens include "Dark Matter" by Pearl Jam with a conspicuous bass element and mysterious references to space. Linkin Park has gifted fans with a previously unreleased track, "Friendly Fire," from their famous 2000-2023 album sessions.
Grab a moment to check out the full range of rock offerings in this characteristically diverse list. Each tune hosts a riot of rock sub-genres, from power-pop to bass-heavy tunes, with their unique lyrical narratives. This is rock music at its best and most versatile - a symphony of grit, rhythm, emotion, and sheer power.
It's time to roll up those sleeves and take our list for a spin. Take a dive into this rock pool, feel the vibes, and give your thumbs up to your favorites. It's crowdranking, and your vote could tip the scale. Don’t forget to share this rock odyssey with fellow rock enthusiasts - because rock music, much like a good story, is best enjoyed with company. Let's find out which anthem will stake its claim as the rock song of 2024!
1The Emptiness Machine
Linkin ParkAfter their original frontman Chester Bennington's death Linkin Park has re-united and re-formed with their new lead singer Emily Armstrong, and drummer Colin Brittain. Their single, “The Emptiness Machine” showcases a vocal duet between Armstrong and Mike Shinoda who sing about the potential consequences of sacrificing oneself for others.
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2Hell You Call a Dream
The WarningMexican female rock trio, The Warning recounts the realities of touring life in the song “Hell You Call a Dream.” The song conveys the wide range of emotions musicians can experience while on the road making music.
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3Heavy Is The Crown
Linkin ParkLinkin Park's “Heavy Is The Crown” is a collaboration with the online video game, League of Legends for the 2024 world championship. The track combines guitar and drum playing styles reminiscent of their old sound with the vocals of their new lead singer, Emily Armstrong.
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4Dark Matter
Pearl JamFeatured on their 12th album, Pearl Jam's “Dark Matter” emphasizes bass instrumentation and lyrically references heavy metal musician, King Diamond. The band takes inspiration from space and pepper references throughout the album.
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5Alone
The CureAfter 16 years, The Cure has released their first new single, “Alone.” The track dark and moody track brings a sense of nostalgia for the band's work of the ‘70s and ’80s.
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6Friendly Fire
Linkin ParkPreviously an unreleased track, Linkin Park's “Friendly Fire” showcases the late frontman, Chester Bennington's vocals. The song is a part of a compilation set called, Papercuts, and features their singles recorded during their 2000-2023 sessions.
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7Dilemma
Green DayGreen Day's “Dilemma” describes the band's sadness at seeing their colleagues struggle with their mental health and substance use. The group mixes pop and rock to capture the feeling of hitting a nadir.
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8S!ck
The WarningMexican hard rock trio, The Warning's new track, “S!ck” is a power rock anthem encouraging listeners to live their life to the fullest. The Villarreal Vélez sisters performed the song on the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show.
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9Audacious
Franz FerdinandFranz Ferdinand's anthemic and guitar-driven “Audacious” celebrates human resilience, and pushing through life's struggles with strength and positivity. Their upcoming LP The Human Fear will be released in 2025.
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10Next Semester
Twenty One PilotsTo mark their new worldwide tour, rock duo Twenty One Pilots released their dynamic and upbeat single “Next Semester”.
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11Human
Lenny KravitzLenny Kravitz's “Human” celebrates the infinite spirituality of being “Human” in rock and roll fashion.
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12Bright Lights
The KillersThe Killers' “Bright Lights” is a high-energy anthem that pays tribute to the excitement of Las Vegas, along with living out one's far-fetched dreams and aspirations.
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13Wild God
Nick Cave and the Bad SeedsThe ballad “Wild God” by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds combines religious allegories and explores the concept of possessing a belief in a higher power. The song is influenced by Cave's recent family losses, as well as his struggles with addiction.
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14You're So Impatient
PixiesThe upbeat and head-bopping “You're So Impatient” by the Pixies creates contrast using poetic lyrics, filled with metaphors to explore interior states of being.
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15This is Nowhere
The Black Keys“This is Nowhere” is the first track on The Black Keys' album, Ohio Players, and was co-written with the singer-songwriter, Beck. The song captures the wish to go to a place with “no discount beers, no alligators tears.”
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16Oh Well (feat. Chris Stapleton)
SlashSlash of Guns N' Roses collaborates with country singer Chris Stapleton in their country-rock song “Oh Well,” singing of having faith in god as a guiding force through life's obstacles. The track features their trademark raspy vocals with punchy guitars.
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17Legendary
Bon JoviBon Jovi's "Legendary"," featured on his album Forever hit the No. 8 spot on the Rock Digital Song Sales chart. The song's reflective lyrics acknowledge the universal simplicities of life and promote a feeling of gratitude.
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18feelslikeimfallinginlove
ColdplayColdplay's new upbeat, yet emotional love song, “feelslikeimfallinginlove” is on their upcoming album, Moon Music. The combination of melody and lyrics capture the all-encompassing feelings surrounding falling in love.
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19All In My Head
The Linda Lindas“All In My Head” by The Linda Lindas takes lyrics inspiration from the main protagonist in the book, My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh.
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20Prequel
Falling In ReverseFalling Reverse's “Prequel” captures diary writing in an unfiltered, hard-rock fashion. The lyrics look at the feelings toward the narrator's self-image and the world.
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21Mustang
Kings of LeonKings of Leon's energetic single “Mustang" from their ninth studio album, Can We Please Have Fun features new stylistic risks from the rock band. The song crescendos to a memorable and catchy chorus.
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22Gift Horse
IdlesIdles' “Gift Horse” is one of the love songs on their album, TANGK, and is up for interpretation as to whether it is about a real person or love as a whole. The chaotic and surreal music video features an array of individuals engaging in mischief, violence, and emotional turbulence.
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23My Golden Years
The Lemon Twigs“My Golden Years” by The Lemon Twigs borrows from the Beach Boys and the Beatles and draws on power-pop. The retro-inspiration is infused in their album, A Dream Is All We Know and extends to their sunny Los Angeles music video.
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24Dogs of War
Mötley CrüeMötley Crüe's new single “Dogs of War” is their first release since 2015. The upbeat song features powerful vocals, riffs, chorus, and beat that lend well to raucous partying and belting.
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25Mars to Liverpool
Liam Gallagher, John SquireIn “Mars to Liverpool,” the former lead singer of Oasis, Liam Gallagher partners with Stone Roses musician, John Squire. The song combines pop and rock with '60s guitar.
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26Lithonia
Childish GambinoDonald Glover's latest Childish Gambino single, “Lithonia” will be on his sixth studio album, Bando Stone & the New World. The song is speculated to be related to the musician and actor's upcoming apocalyptic-comedy film of the same title as his album.
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27Shiver
The LibertinesThe Libertines' song “Shiver” was penned while the band was watching the funeral of Queen Elizabeth while in Jamaica to record their album, All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade. The music video is filmed in black and white and is inspired by the Swedish filmmaker, Ingmar Bergman.
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28How 2 Dance
Kaiser ChiefsInspired by electronic dance club music, the indie rock group Kaiser Chiefs returns with “How 2 Dance,” after a two-decade hiatus.
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29Step Into Your Power
Ray LaMontagne“Step Into Your Power” by Ray LaMontagne brings his trademark psychedelic folk-rock sound to his latest single, which is on his upcoming studio album, Long Way Home. LaMontagne created the music video together with his son Tobias for the song.
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30D&T
JapandroidsCanadian duo Japandroids are saying a final goodbye to their listeners by releasing their final and fourth album, Fate & Alcohol. “D&T” keeps with the trademark sound their fans have come to know, while lyrically detailing the heavy emotions surrounding a breakup and drinking heavily.
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31Gaslight
TravisTravis explores the psychological concept of gaslighting in their single, “Gaslight.” The Scottish band bases their song on personal experiences, reflecting on the reaches within politics and wider society.
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32Run Run Run
The LibertinesWith their first album in nine years, the Libertines have released their song “Run Run Run” as their main song from their latest album All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade. The song lyrics mix anxiety towards the past with a chaotic, yet clear-eyed purpose.
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33Dare to Dream (feat. Graham Nash)
Mike Campbell & the Dirty KnobsMike Campbell and his solo band the Dirty Knobs, team up with Graham Nash of Crosby Stills, Nash, and Young in “Dare to Dream.” Campbell, a former member of the band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, sings of being present while also daring to dream of the future.
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34Just a Western
Nilüfer YanyaNilüfer Yanya's contrasts differing tones through her melody and lyrics in her single, “Just a Western.” The music video was directed by her sister, Molly.
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35Just Another Rainbow
Liam Gallagher, John SquireFormer Oasis and The Stone Roses members, Liam Gallagher and John Squire, duet in their single “Just Another Rainbow." The track's melancholy lyrics capture the hopeful dreams of one's youth, juxtaposed with the nature of reality.
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36All Bets Are Off
Japandroids“All Bets Are Off” by the Japandroids explores the excitement of rekindling an old romance, and becoming completely absorbed and in love.
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