Ditch the dusty CDs, scratched, smudged, and all fucked up in the corner for a fresh set of names, chord lines, and lyrics. A nostalgic ’90s music drop has been happening right under your ears while you’ve been deaf to it, and though arguably not better than the era’s originals, it’s something fun to tune in to and tack on to Spotify and Apple Music playlists.
It was encountering a single dynamic duo in 2022 that first tipped me off to a trend going down. Joey Valence & Brae, two university kids from State College, PA, are—I kid you not—a close incarnation of The Beastie Boys. Joey with that Ad-Rock / Mike D nasally emcee glee, and Brae comes with a sort of MCA / Chuck D swagger and sucker punch.
From then on, I’ve been kinda keenly and quietly obsessed with finding other artists drawing inspiration and incitation from those decades ago. ’Cause while listening to some old bullshit is always good for reminiscent times, you gotta keep up.
To get aligned with the retro references, fixate on the following for some aural gratification, with a first track recommendation to get you going:
Rap & Alternative Hip-Hop
JVB - “Punk Tactics”
Sounds Like: Beastie Boys, with notes of Public Enemy and Rage Against The Machine.
Why it works: Captures the energetic, frenetic energy of ’90s rap-rock and hip-hop. Much like the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage,” it has an anthemic, confrontational feel. Its dual-vocal delivery, old-school breakbeats, and clever wordplay are a direct nod to the genre’s pioneers, making it feel both nostalgic and fresh.
Punk Tactics - Official Video (YouTube)
Paris Texas - “Force of Habit”
Sounds Like: A raw, grimy, and lo-fi mix of alternative hip-hop and indie rock. Think Beastie Boys’ more experimental moments mixed with the gritty swagger of an early Beck.
Why it works: The duo’s production is full of distorted bass lines and noisy, overblown drum machines that feel like a direct tribute to the era's raw, unpolished sound. Their nonchalant vocal delivery and unapologetic swagger are a perfect complement to JVB's energy, offering a different side of the ‘90s throwback.
Force of Habit - Official Video (YouTube)
Denzel Curry - “Walkin”
Sounds Like: A modern evolution of classic boom-bap and jazz-rap, with notes of A Tribe Called Quest and early OutKast.
Why it works: While he’s been around for a while, Curry’s recent album, Melt My Eyez See Your Future (2022), is a masterclass in reinterpreting ’90s hip-hop. This track specifically blends a smooth, soulful sample with his signature intricate, rapid-fire flow, making it feel both nostalgic and entirely fresh.
Walkin' - Official Video (YouTube)
Indie & Garage Rock
Wet Leg - “Chaise Longue”
Sounds Like: A modern take on bands like The Breeders, Elastica, and even a bit of Pavement.
Why it works: With witty, deadpan lyrics and an infectious lo-fi garage rock sound, this track is a direct callback to the ’90s indie scene. The song’s simple, repetitive riff and playful vocals feel incredibly fresh while being deeply rooted in that era’s ethos of smart, stripped-down rock.
Chaise Longue - Official Video (YouTube)
Momma - “Speeding 72”
Sounds Like: Liz Phair, The Breeders, Veruca Salt.
Why it works: A masterclass in ’90s indie and alternative rock. Its fuzzy, melodic guitar riff and deadpan vocals are hallmarks of the era, bringing back the hook-driven songwriting of smart, unpolished hits.
Speeding 72 - Official Video (YouTube)
Starcrawler - “Pet Sematary”
Pet Sematary - Auido (YouTube)
Grunge & Alternative Metal
Kills Birds - “Hollow”
Sounds Like: Smashing Pumpkins meets Sparta.
Why it works: An emotionally charged song that builds from quiet intensity to a cathartic crescendo. The track’s loud-quiet dynamics and shoegaze-influenced guitar textures recall the sonic palette of the Smashing Pumpkins, while its raw vocal delivery has a similar intensity to post-hardcore bands like Sparta.
Hollow - Audio (YouTube)
Teenage Wrist - “Sunshine”
Sounds Like: A blend of ’90s grunge and alternative rock, with definite nods to early Smashing Pumpkins and even some of the more melodic parts of Nirvana.
Why it works: Delivers a powerful mix of fuzzy guitars and clean, soaring vocals. The dynamic quiet-loud-quiet feel is a hallmark of grunge, but a polished, modern production keeps it from sounding like a pure imitation.
Sunshine - Official Video (YouTube)
Fleshwater - “Kiss The Ladder”
Sounds Like: A perfect mix of Hum, Failure, and the textured sound of bands like My Bloody Valentine.
Why it works: The band themselves have cited ’90s influences, and it’s easy to hear why. The song is a prime example of their sound, with massive, heavy guitar riffs layered over a melodic, almost dream-pop core. It’s a great example of a band taking the best elements of ’90s alt-rock and making it their own.
Kiss The Ladder - Official Video (YouTube)
Narrow Head - “Ponderosa Sun Club”
Sounds Like: Hum, Deftones, Failure, and a touch of Smashing Pumpkins.
Why it works: Embodying that heavy, layered alternative metal sound from the mid-to-late ’90s, the guitars are thick and distorted, while the vocals have a clean, almost detached quality, creating an overall vibe that is both powerful and atmospheric.
Ponderosa Sun Club - Audio (YouTube)
Whether you came up “back in the day” and are glad you had, or just wish you did, a rad blast-from-the-past sound wave is rising to the delight of both moms and pops and you, their spawned offspring. Timely … definitely. Timeless? Let’s check in in another 30 years.
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