25 current pop-punk bands every music lover should be listening to

UK band Neck Deep packs that traditional pop-punk feel, with its rebellious lyrics and high energy. The Welsh group is especially reminiscent of the king of the genre, Blink-182. They even covered Blink’s infamous song “Don’t Tell Me It’s Over” and included singer Mark Hoppus on one of their most popular tracks, “December.” 

If you’re looking for a more poetic and emotive variant on this list, Knuckle Puck is a go-to. The American rock band, which was formed in Chicago, blends elements of Midwest emo and punk, cultivating a unique, aggressive pop-punk sound. Not to mention, they're lyrical geniuses.

Another Chicago-based pop-punk band is Real Friends. If you’re into that stereotypical whiny emo sound, this band is for you—and that’s a compliment. Fans especially adore their relatable, often self-deprecating lyrics.

A bit on the heavier side of the genre, leaning more toward indie/alternative, the UK's Boston Manor is a must-have on this list. Not only does their music trigger that familiar and beloved adrenaline rush, but the band also confronts important topics through their lyrics and music videos (e.g., the impacts of toxic masculinity on men’s mental health). With their recent album releases, they seem to be trying to move away from pop-punk, but their new music is still worth supporting. Tip: Start with the song “Laika.”

Hot Mulligan is the hilariously self-proclaimed “#1 Hot New Band,” and honestly, they live up to the hype. Their songs pack that nostalgic Midwest emo feel, what with their long, random titles and raspy screams. However, they also include elements of pop-punk and post-hardcore, while tackling some important topics through their lyrics.

The Wonder Years have been around for quite some time, and for good reason. There’s something so unique about the band, which was formed in Pennsylvania. Not only are they lyrical geniuses, covering themes like mental health and young adulthood, but lead singer Dan “Soupy” Campbell’s voice is hauntingly beautiful. 

Australian pop-punk band Yours Truly is a great addition to your list of modern bands in this genre. With classic pop-punk elements and heavily relatable lyrics about mental health struggles and self-destruction, the band also blends different genres like emo, hardcore, and alternative. Especially in their most recent album, Your Truly, the band gravitates toward heavier influences.

A popular band in the scene, The Story So Far never seems to let pop-punkers down (except for their painfully long wait times between albums). This California group’s music is equally melancholic and reflective as it is catchy and energetic. If you go to a live show, just don’t expect much movement from lead singer Parker Cannon, who is known for being the epitome of the “man standing” emoji.

Stand Atlantic is an Australian band from Sydney, and their early albums are about as pop-punk as it gets. The group has since leaned slightly more toward pop with punk elements, which fans seem to have mixed feelings about. Still, the band—especially lead singer Bonnie Fraser—is adored for their wild, energetic stage presence at concerts.

From Albany, New York, State Champs is a fan favorite in the pop-punk scene. The band has remained true to their sound throughout their entire discography, which might be the driving force behind their consistent success. Not to mention, they put on an incredible show.

Bearings is an Ottawa-based pop-punk group and a staple to add to your list. While the band seems to draw influences from top names in the genre, like Blink-182 and Neck Deep, they’re forging their own path in the genre. Like State Champs, Bearings tends to bring a consistent vibe to its albums. 

Grayscale is a popular alternative rock band from Philadelphia, and they’re often grouped into the pop-punk genre, likely thanks to their earlier albums. This group handles heavy topics, like suicide and addiction, with deep respect and grace. Lead singer Collin Walsh is known for turning his personal experiences into poignant lyrics, and his powerful vocals are laced with emotion. Many of their songs paint a story scene by scene, so you feel as though you’re living through it in real time.

Capstan might lean more toward post-hardcore, but they certainly incorporate many features of pop-punk. With raw vocals and deep-cutting lyrics, their songs hit like a ten-tonne truck, as The Smiths would say, in the best way possible. If you’re looking for a heavier band on this list, Capstan is the ideal choice. 

Chicago pop-bunk band Belmont packs incredible energy with a fusion of metal and electronic influences. The trio is known for transcending genres and prioritizing creativity over consistency, which many fans appreciate. Belmont brings a unique sound to the genre, with its insane riffs and incredibly talented drummer, Brian Lada.

KennyHoopla is actually the stage name for singer/songwriter Kenneth La'ron Beasley, who might not be a pop-punk "band" but still seamlessly fits into the genre as a musician. One of his top songs is “how will i rest in peace if i'm buried by a highway?//.” If that doesn’t give you an idea of his old-school pop-punk sound, then this fact might: He collaborated with pop-punk icon Travis Barker.

Driveways is a Halloween/October-obsessed independent rock band from Massachusetts that delivers unmatched energy to every song. Their Instagram bio reads: “If you enjoyed pop-punk/post hardcore music from like 2002 to about 2008, then you might like Driveways.” That pretty much sums them up.

Movements is one of the most unique bands on this list. For one, they include incredible spoken word poetry on many of their tracks, where you can actually hear the raw emotion in lead vocalist Patrick Miranda’s voice. They’ve recently moved toward a more poppier, upbeat sound, transcending genres and contrasting greatly with their earlier, darker content. Even so, they prove to be equal parts versatile and captivating.

Citizen is an American rock band from Southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio, including elements of pop-punk, alternative, indie, grunge, and post-hardcore. The band has a diverse discography, with each record seeming to fall under a different genre, according to many die-hard fans. But perhaps that’s their entire appeal: they can do it all—and well.

In Her Own Words offers the perfect blend of pop punk, emo, and alternative music. The Los Angeles-based band tends to maintain an upbeat vibe, oftentimes masking their emotive lyrics. Their most recent album (more of an EP, as it’s only seven songs) does have a bit of a different, more produced sound, but it’s still worth listening to.

If you like Neck Deep, let me introduce you to their near twin. The lead singer of WSTR, Sammy Clifford, sounds almost identical to Ben Barlow, the lead singer of Neck Deep. Not to mention, their overall sound is eerily similar to Neck Deep’s, which makes sense considering they apparently are all friends. If anything, I'd say that's a positive.

Trophy Eyes is definitely pop-punk adjacent, leaning more toward punk rock. The Australian band has a high crossover appeal with raw, reflective lyrics and strong vocals. Though not fully pop-punk, I’d be remiss not to include them on this list.

Anxious is a relatively newer Connecticut emo band that blends elements of both hardcore and pop-punk. Their website even mentions they’ve pulled inspiration from records like Blink-182 and Jimmy Eat World. The group released its first album in 2022 and its most recent in February of this year.

Stateside is an aggressive pop-punk band from Southern California with high energy and catchy melodies, similar to Knuckle Puck’s sound. In fact, they recently recorded a song with Joe Taylor of Knuckle Puck. The band hasn’t even released their debut album yet, which won’t be out until June 6, 2025. However, if it’s anything like their singles and EPs, pop-punk fans will be pleased.

If you’re more drawn to bands like The Story So Far or Citizen on this list, you’ll want to check out Have Mercy. Some fans don’t consider them strictly pop-punk, as they can fall under labels like indie rock, emo, post-hardcore, and alternative rock. Their songs pack the perfect angst you’re looking for, and their discography is a testament to their growth, both as musicians and individuals.

Such Luck was formed in Kansas City by “a group of Midwestern dudes playing pop-punk music,” according to the band. If that doesn’t fit the scene, I don’t know what will. Their song “Mess” is the epitome of all this genre has to offer.