Crank Wave

Crank wave is a genre characterized by its frenetic energy, driving rhythms, and often dissonant instrumentation. Emerging in the 2010s, it draws from post-punk, garage rock, and art rock traditions, with a strong emphasis on lyrical intensity and poetic storytelling. The genre's sound is marked by thunderous drumming, distorted guitars, and raw, emotive vocals that veer from spoken word to screamed crescendos. Crank wave's cultural significance lies in its rejection of mainstream polish, embracing instead a DIY ethos and a sense of urgency that speaks to the anxieties of a post-millennial generation. With its raw, avant-garde edge, crank wave sets itself apart from more polished indie rock styles, forging a unique sonic identity that's both chaotic and cathartic.

Latest Crank Wave Release
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Panic Shack
Album - 11 Tracks - Released July 18, 2025
Top Artists Spotify Logo
Fontaines D.C.
Wet Leg
Brodka
Viagra Boys
Grian Chatten
Parquet Courts
Top Playlists
Pigeons & Planes 🐦✈️ 4 Crank Wave artists
WYEP's Weekly Mix 3 Crank Wave artists
Alternative Nation | ALT NATION 3 Crank Wave artists
Pitchfork Festival Pride 2 Crank Wave artists
Fresh Indie 2 Crank Wave artists
triple j's New Music Hitlist 2 Crank Wave artists

RecentMusic users are tracking 117 Crank Wave artists for new releases, and have access to the full timeline of 2,035 releases .

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Get Started Browse Arists
  1. July 18, 2025
  2. July 17
  3. July 11
  4. July 8
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    909
    1 tracks
  5. July 8
  6. July 4
  7. July 1
  8. June 23
  9. June 23
  10. June 20
  11. June 18
  12. June 17
  13. June 12
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    Scene
    1 tracks
  14. June 11
  15. June 5
  16. May 30
  17. May 27
  18. May 27
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    CPR
    2 tracks
  19. May 23
  20. May 22
  21. May 20
  22. May 16
  23. May 14
  24. May 14
  25. May 14
  26. May 13
  27. May 10
  28. May 8
  29. May 7
  30. May 2
  31. May 2
  32. May 2
  33. April 30
  34. April 30
  35. April 29
  36. April 28
  37. April 28
  38. April 25
  39. April 24
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    Gloss
    1 tracks
  40. April 23
  1. July 8, 2025
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    909
    1 tracks
  2. July 8
  3. June 23
  4. June 23
  5. June 17
  6. June 12
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    Scene
    1 tracks
  7. June 11
  8. June 5
  9. May 27
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    CPR
    2 tracks
  10. May 22
  11. May 20
  12. May 14
  13. May 14
  14. May 14
  15. May 13
  16. May 10
  17. May 8
  18. May 7
  19. May 2
  20. April 30