Volume #23 | Where are you modern rock? It's time to get our grit back and rock on.

Mixtape. Served with a side of nostalgia.

Jun 19, 2025

Let’s Play Hide & Seek

You know that feeling when you’re searching high and low for something and can’t find it, but the moment you stop looking, there it is?

We’ve all been there.

A set of keys. Important documents. The other sock.

I’m a shocker when it comes to outfit planning. Every single time, the story is the same. I need to find something to wear, I try too hard, become fussy and waste time searching new arrivals tabs like my life depends on it. Only to return dozens of items and exhaust my Afterpay account whilst paying frequent visits to the post office.

More often than not, it’s a random visit to my nearest Westfield where I find a gem that I wasn’t looking for, and it becomes a wardrobe staple. Classic me.

Then there’s the time I moved house and lost one of our most prized possessions - our wedding USB. It stored the only copy of our wedding videos.

I looked for it for months, I cried on our anniversary when we couldn’t watch the speeches for the 100th time and I was on the verge of contacting our videographer from ten years ago - begging for a favour that wasn’t going to cost me (again).

What a relief it was the day my husband decided to tidy up his shed, and a raucous “whoo hoo hoo hoooooo!” beamed from the backyard. He had found our wedding USB and yep, you guessed it, we weren’t even looking for it. Cue happy tears.

Lately, I’ve been looking for something that is missing from today’s highest streaming artists and songs. Rock. Is it just me, or has it vanished?

Pop-folk? Easily found. Alternative (alt) country and even pop-country? Even easier, in fact, it’s dominating.

But what has happened to modern rock? Where the f*** are you?

I really miss rock. It seems like only yesterday that it was right in front of me. I long for hearing that edgy grit and anthemic emotion on the airwaves again. Where a chorus feels as though it can see your bleeding heart, where the music was a mood and a certain pulse was blaring from car stereos.

When is someone going to punch me in the gut again like they used to?

If we’re going by the GRAMMY Awards, rock as a category is stuck in the past and being awarded for it. This year, Best Rock Album went to The Rolling Stones, and Best Rock Song? The Beatles. Yep, you read that right. It’s the legends of decades past still collecting the trophies (God love them), while modern rock barely gets a look-in.

It’s True, I Crave You

It’s pretty clear I have a craving that needs satisfying. That perfect hit of new-stalgic guitar grit. Until I stumble on it naturally, without trying too hard, I’ll be looping the old faithfuls to fill the gap. Feel free to join me.

We may age, but thankfully, music doesn’t.

Playlist |

Rock Ballads Mixtape

Length: 3 hrs

What To Expect: If Dawson’s Creek and The OC were your emotional lifeline, and American Pie and 10 Things I Hate About You shaped your idea of growing up, this playlist is your teenage life set to music. Loud feelings. Big hooks. Major nostalgia.

All tracks are from the late 90’s and early 2000’s, performed by male dominated bands (don’t worry - the girls’ playlist is coming!) You won’t hear punk or grunge, but it does verge on the edge of heavy rock / metal.

When To Listen: Rock ballads are an emotional outlet. Best played when you need a release.

Highlights: Savvy listeners will notice the bands that feature multiple times, and they’re my favourites. Especially 3 Doors Down. One track that still numbs me to my core is ‘Let Her Cry’ by Hootie & The Blowfish. Permission granted to belt out ‘Broken’ by Seether + Amy Lee and ‘Better Than Me’ by Hinder.

Don’t Seek As It Will Find You

A close friend recently introduced me to an international rock band that, quite literally, stopped me in my tracks. They got me right in the feels. Their sound is the closest thing I’ve heard to Led Zeppelin and a fiery lead guitar in a long time. Initially, I swore the vocals were female, however the band is made up of brothers and mates. Phenomenal is the only way to describe Greta Van Fleet, so if you need a dose of rock that sounds like an absolute classic, give them a listen.

Greta Van Fleet's latest album — Great-a Van Fleet

Aussie Rock Scene Seen

Mixers, you know I adore Australian music and local artists. Surprisingly, the rock genre is one we’re representing nicely but it’s not getting enough attention. Let’s raise a glass and stream some modern-Australian-rock!

Ocean Alley and their new single ‘Love Balloon’ is some of their best psychedelic-rock craft to date. The boys from the Northern Beaches are staying true to their sound and leading the way. Highly recommend you show them some love on your favourite streaming platform, especially when their new album arrives in mid-September.

OCEAN ALLEY - LOVE BALLOON (Official Audio) — Love this artwork. Retro, California dreamin’ vibes.

Shoutout to Australia’s own G Flip. Their new single ‘Disco Cowgirl’ is fuelled with high energy, a catchy chorus and their iconic multi-instrumental approach. This song feels retro, yet cool. They’re clever, empowering and there’s a part of me that wants my daughter to have posters of them on the wall. G Flip rocks.

Spacey Jane are one of the few rock groups to be consistently debuting albums in the top three on the ARIA Album Chart. The West Australian group have released their third album titled ‘If That Makes Sense’. A gently whispering and easy-listening record that drifts between emotions, wearing its heart on its sleeve. ‘Whateverrrr’ is a stunning track. They’re also about to embark on a sold-out tour here in Australia.

If there’s one Australian group that can bring more attention to modern rock, it’s Spacey Jane.