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Here are 21 pop-punk and punk-rock songs that make a compelling, varied listening list for 2021. “Best” is an editorial judgment, not an objective chart ranking: the selection balances sharp hooks, guitar-and-drum energy, punk attitude and the year’s pop crossover. Genre labels are flexible, so a few picks sit closer to alt-rock or pop-rock than to traditional punk.
21 pop-punk and punk-rock songs to hear from 2021
This is a curated listening list, not a reconstruction of another publication’s roundup or a claim that every track fits one fixed genre definition. The picks below are grouped by the kind of 2021 sound they represent, rather than ranked from best to worst.
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Pop-punk hooks and crossover energy
- Olivia Rodrigo — “good 4 u”
A furious, instantly catchy breakup song that became one of the year’s defining pop-punk crossovers. Official Charts’ Lauren Kreisler called it a “pop-punk banger” in the site’s staff picks. In the UK, it was named Official Song of Summer 2021; it recorded 834,000 chart sales during the summer tracking period, from the first week of June through the last week of August, and spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Official Singles Chart. Those figures describe UK chart performance in that period, not worldwide or annual sales. Official Charts’ summer report; Official Charts staff picks.
- WILLOW feat. Travis Barker — “t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l”
A brisk, heavy pop-punk track built around driving drums and an urgent vocal. Official Charts’ midyear staff picks highlighted Barker’s drumming and described it as a heavy pop-punk song. Official Charts staff picks.
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- Olivia Rodrigo — “Brutal”
More jagged and alt-rock-indebted than “good 4 u,” “brutal” channels teen frustration through a short, scrappy burst of guitars. NME’s 2021 retrospective called it an alt-rock-indebted stomper, making it a useful adjacent pick rather than a claim that it is straightforward traditional pop-punk. NME’s 2021 retrospective.
- Meet Me @ The Altar — “Feel A Thing”
A bright, high-energy introduction to the band’s pop-punk approach: quick momentum, big melodic hooks and an emphatic vocal. It represents the genre’s band-driven side alongside the year’s solo-artist breakthroughs.
- JXDN — “Think About Me”
A polished, hook-forward entry from the solo pop-punk lane, where contemporary pop production meets distorted guitars and an emotionally direct vocal.
- Machine Gun Kelly feat. blackbear — “my ex’s best friend”
A compact, radio-ready example of the early-2020s pop-punk revival: sharp guitar accents, a memorable chorus and a duet format that keeps the song moving.
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- Simple Plan — “The Antidote”
A veteran-band take on the style, leaning into energetic guitars and the kind of chorus built for a crowd to sing back.
Punk spirit, sharper edges
- Måneskin — “I Wanna Be Your Slave”
A swaggering, riff-forward rock song with punk attitude and a theatrical performance. Måneskin’s Eurovision win helped bring the Italian band to a wider audience; the track reached the UK summer Top 10 in 2021. Official Charts’ UK summer report on Måneskin.
- Måneskin — “Beggin’”
The band’s high-voltage rendition of “Beggin’” puts a rough-edged rock treatment around a familiar song. It also reached the UK summer Top 10 in 2021, part of the same chart moment as “I Wanna Be Your Slave.” Official Charts’ UK summer report on Måneskin.
- Amyl and the Sniffers — “Guided by Angels”
A lean, forceful punk-rock choice, driven by a tight rhythm section and an unvarnished vocal rather than glossy pop production.
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- Turnstile — “HOLIDAY”
A short, kinetic burst of modern punk energy, built to hit hard while keeping its melody and momentum accessible.
- The Linda Lindas — “Oh!”
Fast, playful and direct, this track captures the appeal of a young band turning punk’s speed and attitude into a sharp, tuneful song.
- Meet Me @ The Altar — “Now or Never”
Another melodic band pick, with punchy drums and a chorus that favors uplift and forward motion over punk-rock abrasion.
- WILLOW — “Lipstick”
A restless, guitar-led track that stretches beyond neat genre boxes, balancing alternative-rock textures with the energy of the broader pop-punk moment.
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More melodic and alternative-leaning picks
- jxdn — “Wanna Be”
A polished solo performance with an outsized chorus and the emotional immediacy associated with contemporary pop-punk.
- MOD SUN — “Flames”
A dramatic, melodic rock collaboration that puts its emphasis on soaring vocals and a big, combustible hook.
- All Time Low — “PMA”
A veteran pop-punk band keeps the sound bright and nimble, using a brisk groove and cleanly defined hooks.
- Nothing,Nowhere. — “Pieces of You”
An introspective, alternative-leaning selection that brings a more subdued mood to a list otherwise full of speed and volume.
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- Magnolia Park — “Tokyo”
A modern, high-impact band track that blends pop-punk’s melodic center with a harder-edged delivery.
- Meet Me @ The Altar — “Garden”
Energetic and melodic, “Garden” adds another band-centered perspective to a year in which the genre’s visibility also came from solo pop crossovers.
- YUNGBLUD — “fleabag”
A restless, shout-along rock song with punk posture and pop-sized hooks, suited to the loose boundaries of this list.
How to listen across the list
For the most immediately recognizable pop-punk sound, start with “good 4 u,” “t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l” and the Meet Me @ The Altar tracks. For more abrasive punk-rock energy, move to Amyl and the Sniffers, Turnstile and The Linda Lindas. Måneskin’s two UK Top 10 tracks offer a distinct, theatrical rock approach, while “Brutal” sits nearer the alt-rock edge. Official Charts also provides a Spotify playlist alongside its UK summer chart coverage. Official Charts summer coverage and playlist.
Quick Recap
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