rock
what it is
Rock music is a form of popular music with a prominent vocal melody, accompanied by guitar, drums, and bass. Many styles of rock music also use keyboard instruments such as organ, piano, mellotron, and synthesizers. Other instruments sometimes utilized in rock include saxophone, harmonica, violin, flute, French horn, banjo, melodica, and timpani.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 1 · mainstream
the pop everyone knows
level 2 · the door
big names with a sharper edge
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make rock a playlist
turn these 40 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is rock?
Rock music is a form of popular music with a prominent vocal melody, accompanied by guitar, drums, and bass. Many styles of rock music also use keyboard instruments such as organ, piano, mellotron, and synthesizers. Other instruments sometimes utilized in rock include saxophone, harmonica, violin, flute, French horn, banjo, melodica, and timpani.
What are good rock albums to start with?
Try The Beatles (Remastered) by The Beatles, All We Know Is Falling by Paramore, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends by Coldplay, and Stadium Arcadium by Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Who are some women making rock?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/rock/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making rock, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20