[2025] A roundup of classic UK rock songs: from the latest tracks to timeless staples!
These days, whether you look at the charts in the U.
S.
or the U.
K.
, pop, hip-hop, and R&B dominate the top spots, so rock fans might be feeling a bit left out.
That said, UK rock has long been popular among Japanese listeners of Western music, and even now, as we approach the mid-2020s, a new generation of talented bands is emerging.
Taking into account that veteran bands are also releasing strong tracks, this article highlights the latest UK rock gems in the first half, and then moves on to a lineup packed with timeless classics.
If you’re new to UK rock, be sure to check it out!
- [2025] Classic UK rock albums: A roundup of must-hear recommendations
- [2025] A roundup of recommended UK bands, featuring many up-and-coming artists!
- [2025] A Collection of Classic Piano Rock/Pop Songs (Western Music)
- [Masterpiece Selection] A Compilation of Classic Western Rock Songs
- The 1970s were the golden age of Western rock! Recommended classics and hit songs
- [Western Music] Start with this one! Classic and popular songs of alternative rock
- [2025] Popular British Artists: Recommended Singer-Songwriters
- [2025] The State of Western Hard Rock Today: A Roundup of Notable Tracks
- Great Western rock classics and hit songs of the ’90s
- [2025] Songs You’ll Want to Listen to This Summer! Popular and Recommended Classic Rock Tracks from the West
- Western songs with cool bass lines: classic and popular tracks recommended for bassists
- [2025] Must-Sing! A Roundup of Popular Western Rock Songs for Karaoke
- Western Rock Music Popularity Ranking [2025]
[2025] A roundup of classic UK rock songs: from the latest tracks to timeless staples! (111–120)
Natural MagickKula Shaker
Kula Shaker rose to popularity in the late 1990s just as the Britpop boom was drawing to a close.
They fused Western rock with Indian musical elements, setting themselves apart from Britpop.
Though they eventually disbanded, they later reunited and have remained active ever since.
Their 2024 release, Natural Magick, is a long-awaited work for longtime fans.
The album lets listeners revel in a sound that feels like a return to their roots, yet it also pushes forward with fresh musical experiments—funk-inflected rhythms, homages to Bollywood, and a rich blend of diverse styles.
In particular, the lyrics, which capture the magic hidden in everyday life and those special fleeting moments, invite listeners into a world apart.
Natural Magick is a truly magical record that can be recommended to both new and old fans alike, offering a rare glimpse into both Kula Shaker’s past and their future.
Living In A BoxLiving in a Box
It’s included on the 1987 album “Living in a Box.” They’re a trio formed in Sheffield in 1985.
Their British rock-style melodies and slightly husky vocals are appealing.
The band name, the single, and the debut album were all “Living in a Box,” which made quite an impact.
Kind Of ManLondon Grammar
The new song announced in May 2024 is a lead single from London Grammar’s fourth album, The Greatest Love.
Blending ambient sounds with elements of trip-hop, it features Hannah Reid’s ethereal vocals that resonate deeply.
The track explores themes of self-discovery and acceptance within complex romantic relationships, delicately portraying both the tenderness and turmoil of loving someone who is captivating yet self-destructive.
It is slated to be included on the album planned for release in 2024, which will also feature the lead single “House.” It’s a perfect track for those who want to immerse themselves in London Grammar’s profound musicality.
A Psychic WoundLos Campesinos
Los Campesinos!, the pride of Wales’ indie pop scene, released a new song in May 2024 from their first new album in seven years, All Hell.
The track stands out for its poetic lyrics centered on emotional pain and past wounds, paired with a melodious sound that fuses emo and indie pop.
It portrays the complex emotions of confronting scars that can’t be hidden and striving to find peace and closure.
The band’s expressive depth is on full display, resulting in a powerful song that stirs the listener’s emotions—a remarkable piece that gives you courage to face life’s hardships.
The living YearsMike & The Mechanics
It’s a project band launched in 1985 by Genesis guitarist Mike Rutherford.
Its distinctive feature is a unique style in which the two vocalists take turns handling lead vocals depending on the song.
In this track, the chorus in the refrain is lyrical and blends well with the mid-tempo melody line, resulting in a beautiful piece.
Empty And Silent (feat. King Krule)Mount Kimbie
A beautifully crafted song that deftly portrays loneliness and introspection emerged from the exquisite collaboration between Mount Kimbie and King Krule.
Echo-drenched vocals and warm synths resound through the quiet.
It’s an advance single from the album The Sunset Violent, slated for release in April 2024, and you can feel how its backdrop—being produced in the deserts of California—shapes the track’s expansive atmosphere.
Mount Kimbie are set to embark on a world tour in spring 2024, visiting major cities across Europe and the United States.
It’s a perfect track for late-night moments when you want to quietly immerse yourself in music alone.
When You SleepMy Bloody Valentine
My Bloody Valentine, who could be called the gods of shoegaze.
This track from their 1991 album Loveless is a song that seems to epitomize their sound.
Amid a flood of meticulously crafted guitar noise, the softly floating vocals sing of uncertain love.
The multilayered vocals, which seem to express complex emotions, were reportedly completed after many retakes by Kevin Shields.
Listen to this song and you’ll be instantly drawn into the allure of the shoegaze genre—no question about it.
It’s a piece that suggests new possibilities for music, truly deserving to be called a masterpiece.