[2025] Start Here First! A Roundup of Recommended Western Post-Rock Bands

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!

Have you ever heard the term “post-rock”? As the name suggests, it’s a music genre that deviates from the basic style of rock, captivating listeners with experimental sounds and a grand sonic landscape.

Its definition is vague and approaches vary by band, but its unique world—combining live instruments like guitar and drums with electronic elements—can be utterly addictive once you hear it.

In this article, we’ll introduce famous overseas bands that let you experience the true allure of post-rock.

If you’ve recently become interested in this genre, be sure to check them out.

[2025] Start Here! Recommended Western Post-Rock Bands (41–50)

the crunchThe Dylan Group

dylan group – the crunch

the crunchThe Dylan Group

The Dylan Group is a band that Adam Pierce from Mice Parade had previously formed, essentially a prototype of Mice Parade.

Known for its distinctive vibraphone and twin-drum setup, it made a strong impression in the 1990s.

After Mice Parade was formed, the group went on hiatus, but it suddenly resumed activity in 2016 and even toured Japan.

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A Tender History in RustDo Make Say Think

Do Make Say Think – A Tender History in Rust

A Tender History in RustDo Make Say Think

Do Make Say Think is a large eight-piece band formed in Toronto, Canada, featuring brass and even violin.

Their sound leans heavily into jazz elements.

Some members have also participated in Broken Social Scene, which has performed at Fuji Rock.

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ne mosquitoes passJanne Da Arc

joan of arc – ne mosquitoes pass

ne mosquitoes passJanne Da Arc

This is the band that Tim Kinsella—the more eccentric of the Kinsella brothers—has been active with for a long time after Cap’n Jazz.

Their style changes with each album, the members vary, and they do a messy mix of everything: from dissonant acoustic guitar-and-vocal pieces, to full-band tracks close to Cap’n Jazz, to minimal works with electronic sounds.

Tim Kinsella really is a weirdo.

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Sharks & SailorsJune Of 44

June of 44 – Sharks & Sailors

Sharks & SailorsJune Of 44

This is a band that Doug Scharin was a member of before forming HiM.

Within post-rock, they’re categorized as math rock, but their sound is distinctive—like a mix of jazz and hardcore that seems to say such labels are meaningless.

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Hurry up, we’re dreamingM83

Hurry up, we’re dreaming – M83

Hurry up, we're dreamingM83

Since their formation in 1999, the French electronic music group M83 has gained popularity for a distinctive sound that fuses nostalgic synth-pop with shoegaze.

The tracks on their 2011 album Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming marked a major breakthrough for the band.

Exploring themes of youth and paying homage to the music of the 1980s, their music powerfully captures dreams and longing.

Widely recognized for their multifaceted talent—including work on film soundtracks—M83 is highly recommended for those seeking a nostalgic atmosphere and expansive soundscapes.

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In conclusion

I hope this article has conveyed that the term “post-rock” encompasses many styles: from instrumental post-rock that blends meticulous sound design with bold experimentation, to bands that captivate with catchy, accessible melodies yet take a completely different approach from mainstream pop, to groups that create challenging, enigmatic sounds.

If this piqued your interest, use this piece as a springboard and dive deeper—you’ll find it fascinating!