[Western Music] Both Speed and Bittersweetness! Recommended Melodic Hardcore (Melodic Punk) Bands [2025]
In the 2020s, what kind of image comes to mind when you hear the music genre “melocore”? Chances are, the bands and sounds you think of vary depending on your generation.
The heyday of melocore in the ’90s, the early 2000s boom of pop punk and youth punk, the mid-2010s onward pop-punk revival—each band has had its own sound.
In this piece, we focus on melocore—short for melodic hardcore—which has become established in Japan as the abbreviation for melodic hardcore, just as the name suggests.
We’ll also look at related styles like pop punk, selecting both veteran acts and rising younger bands drawing attention in the 2020s.
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[Western Music] Both speed and poignancy! Recommended Melodic Hardcore/Punk Bands [2025] (41–50)
ClockworkAutopilot Off
They won over SUM 41 and made their first trip to Japan as a support act! Autopilot Off captivates with a powerful, fast, tightly packed sound.
Beyond their musicianship, they’re highly regarded for their vocals and songwriting.
A classic, straight-ahead band with serious chops—no frills, just the real deal.
They’re also known for having a large base of hardcore fans.
[Western Music] Speed and Bittersweetness! Recommended Melodic Hardcore/Punk Bands [2025] (51–60)
Between Branches And A Dying SunVacant Home
A five-piece melodic hardcore band based in Perth, Australia.
Their sound blends lyrical and progressive elements while skillfully incorporating post-hardcore and post-rock influences.
In June 2017, they released their debut album, “Reflect, Respond,” via Mutant League Records, garnering significant attention in their local scene.
On YouTube’s Dreambound channel, they have surpassed 350,000 views, placing them among the top five most-watched artists on the channel.
They have steadily built their career by sharing the stage with international bands such as Stick To Your Guns, Being As An Ocean, and Polaris.
The contrast between clean vocals and screams, combined with ambient guitar textures, creates a distinctive soundscape that brings a fresh breeze to melodic hardcore.
Highly recommended for those who value a balance between emotive melodies and intensity.
My Girlfriend’s DeadThe Vandals
Living legends of the punk scene.
The Vandals keep releasing outrageously catchy, standout pop-punk tunes.
Their unparalleled sense of humor gives them unbeatable originality.
The ideas and inventiveness they express are highly regarded by many musicians.
MondayThe Living end
A three-piece band from Australia.
They’re characterized by a rockabilly style and upright bass, with extremely catchy melodies.
They’ve earned strong support not only from listeners but also from fellow musicians, making them fun to both watch and listen to—highly recommended for newcomers to melodic hardcore.
Coffee TalkBroadside
They are a pop-punk band from Richmond, Virginia, formed in 2010.
Their 2015 debut album, Old Bones, drew significant attention in the pop-punk and melodic hardcore scenes at the time for its melodic sound and candid lyrics.
In 2015, they were selected by Alternative Press for its “100 Artists You Need to Know,” gaining recognition as a formidable band in the alternative rock world.
Their 2017 album, Paradise, produced by Kyle Black, expertly fused metallic tones with catchy melodies and reached No.
17 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart.
On stage, they deliver tight musicianship and energetic performances, and many fans resonate with their commitment to expressing their inner selves through music.
Their message-driven songs about the struggles and aspirations of youth, paired with lyrical melodies, are sure to leave a lasting impression.
The Other SideMoving Targets
Moving Targets are a key band from Massachusetts’ underground scene in the 1980s.
Their unique style, which skillfully fuses hardcore punk with melodic guitar sounds, continues to influence many musicians today.
They debuted in 1986 with the album “Burning in Water,” bringing a fresh breeze to the alternative rock world with melodic riffs rich in open chords and emotionally expressive vocals.
In 2018, frontman Kenny Chambers relaunched the band with new members, and they continue to perform with undiminished energy.
If you’re drawn to the fusion of hardcore aggression and melody, or you’re seeking a broad, open-hearted sound that embraces everything from ’60s mod rock to power pop, this is for you.
Shy GuysSeaway
Formed by a group of friends from Oakville, Ontario, Canada, Seaway is known for a sound that blends pop punk, emo, and alternative rock.
They released their album “Hoser” in 2013, and the following year signed with the renowned label Pure Noise Records.
By sharing the stage with accomplished bands like Neck Deep, Knuckle Puck, and Silverstein, they steadily raised their profile.
In 2017, they embarked on a Japan tour with dates in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.
That same year, their album “Vacation” was ranked No.
12 on Rock Sound’s “Top 50 Releases of 2017,” earning high praise for its melodic, catchy sound.
Their bright style, fusing upbeat pop punk and emo rock, paired with straightforward lyrics about youth, emotions, and everyday life, has captured the hearts of many listeners.