By: Dani Carmack, SFU Student
Pop-punk is a subgenre of rock music that combines elements of punk rock and pop, taking the electric energy of punk rock with pop’s hooks and melodies. With big-name artists like Fall Out Boy, Sum 41, My Chemical Romance, Paramore, Green Day, and Blink-182, the genre captivated millions of fans worldwide during its rise to popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s. As someone whose playlist and life soundtrack mainly consists of pop-punk, here are four songs by emerging artists who are keeping the genre alive well into 2026.
“I Kinda Like That” by the Paradox
The Paradox makes music that sounds like it would be a playable song in Guitar Hero II and “I Kinda Like That” is no exception. The nostalgic fast-paced tempo, distorted guitar riffs, and lyrics that sound like a Blink-182 song including, “It’s gone too far/Left your key and your name in the side of/My car, everyone saw/You freak out in the middle of the party,” absolutely scream black nail polish and Converse (or Vans, depending on what kind of pop-punk kid you were) high tops. The Paradox was the first all-Black band in the genre to chart at number one on the Billboard Alternative chart in January 2026 with their track “Get The Message,” and they continue to break barriers for Black artists in the alternative scene.
“Airhead” by Honey Revenge
“Airhead” is another track that gives a mix of angsty lyrics and 2010s summery and vibrant pop punk vibes. Honey Revenge is a duo consisting of vocalist Devin Papadol and guitarist Donny Lloyd. The energetic guitar riffs combined with Papadol’s hypnotic vocals and playful melody make this the perfect track for your 2016 vibe playlists. If you enjoy Hayley Williams or Halsey, you’ll absolutely love this track, or anything by Honey Revenge.
“Emily” by Daisy Grenade
When you press play on this track, you might think it was released in 2006, not 2026. With heart-fluttering guitar riffs and poetic and vengeful lyrics like, “You’re first on my list,” Daisy Grenade made a time machine back to a lot of our teenage years with “Emily.” The track has sapphic limerence with a hint of rage written all over it. Daisy Grenade is yet another duo, made up of Dani Nigro and Keaton Whittakker. They saw a rise in popularity after being opening acts for Fall Out Boy and the next artist on this list, Waterparks.
“BETTER THAN THERAPY” by Waterparks
If you’re looking for an upbeat, lively song that doesn’t take itself too seriously and brings you back to summer even during the coldest winter days, this track is for you. “BETTER THAN THERAPY” is an example of Waterparks’ comedic and honest way of storytelling through their lyrics, with the song exploring finding comfort in a relationship with someone who accepts and understands you, flaws and all. The song’s title contrasts the intimacy of a relationship with the clinical setting of therapy, declaring that the subject of the song is “better than therapy.” Since the band’s formation in 2011, Waterparks has been known for genre-bending tracks that keep listeners interested while still staying true to the pop-punk sound on their albums.
