2010s Rock Essentials

2010s Rock Essentials

The rock ‘n’ roll of the 2010s tells the story of a genre at odds even with itself, torn between maximalist, pop-leaning, stadium-sized tunes and gritty, blues-based minimalism that makes a point of cranking the guitar overdrive. Old-guard traditionalists like Jack White, The Black Keys and Foo Fighters broke out some of the biggest riffs of their storied careers, while drum-machine-loving synth-usiasts like Imagine Dragons and twenty one pilots explored the boundaries of rock with hyper-catchy melodies that embraced rap and Top 40 sensibilities. A healthy dose of psych got caught in the middle, as Portugal. The Man channelled the swingin’ ‘60s and Tame Impala lit out on a heady trip all their own. And groups with harder edges and grungy roots were heavier than ever—Green Day’s breakneck punk hit new levels of intensity, and Three Days Grace perfected their headbanging hooks.

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