It has been nearly two decades since rock music dominated the charts. Now, with artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Charli XCX borrowing from the genre and veteran bands like the Strokes and Sublime releasing new material, one question keeps coming up: is rock music finally coming back?
One of the clearest signs that rock music might be creeping back into the mainstream came about a month ago, in May 2026, when pop star Charli XCX dropped her new single, “Rock Music.”
The track pairs distorted guitars with hyperpop production and self-aware lyricism, and the title alone felt like a statement. In the song, she sings, “I think the dance floor is dead, so now we’re making rock music,” which many fans took as a sign that even one of pop’s biggest names is looking for something fresh.
Although Charli later clarified that she is not making a full rock album, the song reflects a broader trend.
According to Shepaug Valley High School musician Finn Keane Piacente, many major artists are drawing inspiration from earlier decades.
“I’ve seen more artists use retro-inspired sounds, which I think is cool,” he said. “Music is evolving, but it’s also taking influence from the past.”
While Charli XCX’s recent embrace of rock feels like a new direction, Olivia Rodrigo has incorporated rock influences since the start of her career. Her debut album, Sour (2021), blended pop, folk, and alternative rock, and she has leaned further into the genre with each release. Her second album, Guts (2023), featured a strong rock edge on tracks such as “vampire” and “bad idea right?”.
Inspired by punk and alternative rock artists like Babes in Toyland and Rage Against the Machine, the album balanced emotional ballads with loud guitars and energetic production. Rodrigo’s upcoming third album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, is set for release on June 12, 2026, and its lead single, “The Cure,” has already reached number one in Australia and Ireland. For many young listeners, Rodrigo may be introducing rock music to a new generation.
Some young musicians believe these artists are helping revive interest in the genre.
“Rock definitely fizzled out over the past 20 years, but recently I think there’s been a little bit of a revival,” said Piacente. He argues that the real comeback is not necessarily rock dominating the charts again, but a growing sense of creativity across popular music.
“The beauty of music, and what I think is really the comeback, is that I’m seeing more creativity,” said Piacente.
Part of rock’s staying power may be its versatility.
“Rock music stands out because it’s such a huge spectrum of music,” Piacente said. Even as trends change, he believes the genre continues to attract younger audiences. “We see Beatles fans everyday who are 14, 15, or 16. There is still a community.”
Still, today’s rock scene looks very different from previous generations.
“A little bit of the culture of music has been lost,” he said. “There are no weekly bands you see playing anymore.”
Because of those changes, he believes a full-scale return to rock’s heyday is unlikely.
“It’s impossible for it to be something like it used to… there won’t be another Nirvana,” said Piacente.
Whether rock fully returns to the mainstream or simply continues influencing today’s biggest artists, its impact remains undeniable.
As Piacente put it, “Rock music is an expression of emotion. It’s not just a sound, it has community and a history.”
