a genre of indie rock also known as garage rock revival, played by musicians that started to play a stripped down version of guitar rock inspired by the original sounds and aesthetics of garage rock, new wave and post-punk. the music ranged from the atonal tracks, to melodic pop songs and popularised distorted guitar sounds. there was an emphasis on "rock authenticity" that was seen as a reaction to the commercialism of mtv-oriented nu metal, hip hop and "bland" post-britpop groups.

• reference bands:

the strokes, interpol, the white stripes, the hives, white lies.