[2025] A roundup of classic UK rock songs: from the latest tracks to timeless staples!

Everything and NothingSOFT PLAY

SOFT PLAY – Everything and Nothing (Official Video)

A gentle riot in the UK rock scene, Soft Play’s track is working miracles.

This work channels the profound themes of life and death, loss and renewal, through the energy of punk rock.

It’s a single from the album Heavy Jelly, released in June 2024.

Personal experiences—like the death of a friend and the collapse of mental health—become lyrics that resonate with universal empathy.

The sense of unity at their live shows is also compelling; their high-energy, crowd-sweeping performances are a must-see.

It’s a song I highly recommend to anyone who wants to confront life’s complexity and uncertainty, and to those who feel the urge to scream from deep within.

Nothing MattersThe Last Dinner Party

The Last Dinner Party – Nothing Matters

Formed in London in 2021, The Last Dinner Party is a five-piece all-female rock band that, as of 2024, is attracting the most attention.

Selected for the BBC Sound of 2024, which highlights the year’s most promising newcomers, and confirmed to perform at Fuji Rock 2024, they’re sparking a global movement not only in their home country but also in Japan.

Skillfully fusing indie rock with baroque pop, their lyrics portray an active sexual impulse that is both provocative and tinged with emptiness, while their debut single “Nothing Matters,” released in 2023, delivers an almost excessive theatrical worldview; its remarkable polish sent shockwaves through the scene, belying their status as a new band.

Their debut album, Prelude to Ecstasy, released in February 2024, impressively reached No.

1 in the UK.

Be sure to check out this highly acclaimed group’s first step!

(Wish I Could Fly Like) SupermanThe Kinks

The Kinks – (Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman [Official Audio]

When you hear “the most quintessentially British band,” which group comes to mind? The Kinks are a defining act of the UK rock scene, and today we’re spotlighting their distinctive foray into disco rock.

This track is a thrilling number that cheekily answers the record label’s request for “a song that works in clubs,” filtered through the band’s own wit.

Its driving four-on-the-floor beat intertwined with crisp, choppy rock guitar riffs practically forces your hips to move.

Delve into the lyrics and you’ll find the protagonist’s grumblings as he wavers between hero-worship and harsh reality—exactly the kind of irony that showcases Ray Davies at his best.

Released as a single in January 1979, it reached No.

41 on the U.

S.

charts.

It’s perfect for dancing at a party while savoring the deeper message beneath the groove.

PerfumePale Waves

Pale Waves – Perfume (Official)

It’s a captivating track that fuses a nostalgic 1980s vibe with a modern sound.

The luscious melody and lyrics portraying the complexities of love leave a strong impression, resonating deeply with listeners.

Released in June 2024 as the lead single from Pale Waves’ fourth album, Smitten, the band—formed in Manchester in 2014—has released three albums to date and won the Q Award for Best Breakthrough Act in 2019.

It’s a recommended song for anyone who wants to feel the flutter of first love and the delicacy of romantic relationships.

Kiss MeCrawlers

Crawlers – Kiss Me (Official Video)

Formed in Liverpool, UK in 2018, Crawlers have been gaining attention via social media in the alternative rock and soft grunge scenes.

“Kiss Me” is a track from their long-awaited debut album, “The Mess We Seem To Make,” released on February 16, 2024.

Energetic yet danceable, the song explores emotional conflict, self-acceptance, and a complex relationship with love and physicality.

It reminds listeners of the importance of embracing and loving oneself.

Recommended for moments when you want to dig into deeper emotions or reflect, and feel both its energy and message.

The LeaderDog Race

Dog Race – The Leader (Official Music Video)

Dog Race, a band stirring up fresh winds in the UK rock scene, delivers a new gothic-tinged track with a uniquely captivating atmosphere, as if listening to a nightmarish opera.

Riding on icy, wave-like sonics, vocalist Katie Healy lets her enigmatic voice ring out, evoking the New Romantics of the ’80s.

Released in July 2024, the song has already garnered high praise, including a spot on the BBC 6 Music playlist.

It’s a track that offers empathy and solace to those who feel modern anxieties or a sense of personal stagnation.

BusTravis

Travis – Bus (Official Video)

A track from the album L.

A.

Times, it shines with Travis’s signature blend of melodic rock and pop.

The lyrics delicately express a desire to escape the everyday and a hope for a better future, resonating deeply.

You can also feel the emotional depth reflecting Fran Healy’s personal experiences.

Timed with the album’s July 2024 release, a UK tour co-headlined with The Killers has also been announced.

It’s a recommended song for those at a crossroads in life or seeking change.

Its warm, comforting musicality is sure to soothe your heart.