Warning: Nerd Post Alert.

With that out of the way, to no one’s great surprise, I love music (I mean, don’t we all love some form of music?). But more than that, I like “noisy” music. And I like learning about the writing/producing process behind albums.

So you can imagine my delight when my favorite kpop group, Stray Kids (yes, they’ve replaced BTS), came out with a new album named Noi(ea)sy. Even better when I found out they made it as a response to criticism that their music was “noise.”

I enjoy it when artists just kinda go, “Nah, we’re going to make the music that we like to make. Do with it what you will.”

I can’t say I always like some of the more experimental tunes that some artists release, but I appreciate that they are staying true to their creativity and making something that brings them joy.

But overall, I do like noisy, rocky songs. They’re fun. However, I also usually end up having to turn down/turn off the volume in my car when I have passengers ’cause I can see by the scrunch of their nose that it is not their cup of tea. Or sometimes, I’m just afraid that I might annoy them with my taste in music, so I preclude objections and turn it off. Yet it is one of my great delights is to go for a long drive with a rock playlist blasting while I sing along at the top of my lungs

That’s not to say that there aren’t people out there who like the kind of music I like, otherwise I would have been alone at those concerts that have left me a little hard of hearing now. A group of us even had a discussion the other day about some songs that were featured in our kickboxing workout. To me and another girl, the techno beats were grating and too noisy, but our other friend really liked them. There’s nuance even in “noisy” music and what kind of noise people like. And I don’t only like noisy rock music – I’m kinda all over the board with what I like, but I appreciate a good, sometimes discordant, beat. So for those who enjoy this kind of thing, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite “noisy” songs.

We’ll start out with two from Stray Kids’ new album: CHEESE and DOMINO (also, their video for 소리꾼 is truly a piece of art).

Gotta add a few from my favorite band of all time, House of Heroes: In the Valley of the Dying Sun (also, how do you even classify this song? Is it rock? Alternative? Pop? I love songs that refuse to be defined by one genre), Code Name Raven (the whole The End is Not Album is GOLD), Love is for the Middle Class, and Comfort Trap.

Flyeaf’s I’m So Sick and Again.

Family Force 5’s Love Addict, Replace Me (really their entire Business Up Front/Party in the Back album is fire), and BZRK.

Relient K’s Mmhmm album (I couldn’t pick a favorite).

Bastille’s Weapon.

Anberlin’s Paper Thin Hymn and Godspeed.

Red’s End of Silence album.

I am realizing this list is turning into a nostalgia trip for me. Maybe the lack of sleep I’ve been getting lately is making me wistful? I just miss Christian rock radio stations and bands…where did you go?!

Anywho, this has been totally self-indulgent. Feel free to share your favorite tunes below, I always enjoy finding new bands and songs to like!