Playlist Guide: Experimental Rock

By Cassidy Segovia
Music Journalist

Welcome to Playlist Guide, a series of articles dedicated to playlists I curate. I will recommend around five to six songs that best fit my topic. For my first Playlist Guide I made an experimental rock playlist featuring my favorite songs of the genre.

For those who may not know, experimental rock is defined as “a subgenre of rock music” that uses different instrumentations for their composition. Most experimental rock bands are influenced and composed of art, avant-garde ideas and loud noise levels. 

THERE’S NOTHING YOU CAN’T DO – SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE

“THERE’S NOTHING YOU CAN’T DO” was released on SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE’s past album, ENTERTAINMENT, DEATH. This noisy shoegaze-inspired track was the first single released from the album, proving that S.O.T.B.’s sound only gets better as they progress. 

Listen to “THERE’S NOTHING YOU CAN’T DO.” 

Vidual – King Krule

“Vidual” is the 13th track off King Krule’s 2017 album, The OOZ. This album differs from the previous one due to its juxtaposition of jazz and experimental rock. Not only did the entire album change listeners’ perspectives of the original King Krule sound, but “Vidual” introduced an addictive mix of surf-punk with loud raspy vocals.

Listen to “Vidual.” 

Red Study – Osees

Osees (previously known as Thee Oh Sees) released their 23rd studio album Protean Threat in 2020. On this album, “Red Study” has a hold on me I can not explain. From the captivating bass line to the protruding horns in between each group of verses, this track quickly became one of my top-played songs in 2020.

Listen to “Red Study.”

Call This # Now – The Garden

Although the entire discography of The Garden holds a special place in my heart, their 2016 single “Call This # Now” is a go-to recommended track from me. It shows off lead singer Wyatt Shears’ deep vocals along with a wacky and fun composition that makes it hard to categorize the band within a specific genre.

Listen to “Call This # Now.”

Crunch Punch – The Voidz

Guided by The Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas, The Voidz were one of the first groups to make experimental rock known to the alternative scene in the 2010s. In their 2014 album Tyranny, “Crunch Punch” delivers noise-rock influences along with a 60’s psych-rock guitar riff. Although the album has more to offer than just this one track, “Crunch Punch” is a must-listen if you have not heard any other songs by the group.

Listen to “Crunch Punch.”

Mars for the Rich – King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard

What would an experimental rock playlist be without any King Gizzard? King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard is an experimental rock band that continues to reach quick popularity. One of my favorite songs is “Mars for the Rich,” a noisy and harder track from the band’s 2019 album, Infest the Rats’ Nest.

Listen to “Mars for the Rich.”

Here is a Spotify playlist that I made that has all of the songs listed above. Happy listening!

Featured Image by Cassidy Segovia