Music discovery · Influence explorer

Artists like War on Drugs — and the music that made them

Indie Rock · 2005-present

Sprawling Americana rock that transforms nostalgia into transcendent soundscapes

The War on Drugs, led by Adam Granduciel, craft expansive indie rock that channels Springsteen, Dylan, and krautrock into something uniquely modern. Their meticulous layering of guitars, synths, and atmospheric production has made them critical darlings and festival headliners.

Essential tracks

►Red Eyes

►Under the Pressure

►Pain

Did you know

Adam Granduciel spent over three years perfecting 'Lost in the Dream' in various studios

The band's name comes from a Public Enemy song, not anti-drug messaging

Granduciel uses over 30 different guitar pedals to achieve their signature sound

“Dreamy Americana filtered through shimmering reverb and nostalgic synthesizer washes.”

generations
of influence

Influence tree

Trace War on Drugs's roots back through history

Every sound has a source. Click any node to hear the connection.

The War on Drugs

2005-present

Bob Dylan

1961-present

cited

Tom Petty

1976-2017

cited

Sonic Youth

1981-2011

sonic

Neil Young

1963-present

cited

My Bloody Valentine

1983-present

sonic

Spacemen 3

1982-1991

sonic

The Velvet Underground

1964-1973

movement

Kraftwerk

1970-present

sonic

↑ Click any influence node to see the connection and where to start listening.

What makes the sound

Sonic elements

Reverb-soaked electric guitars

Vintage synthesizer textures

Americana-influenced songwriting

Spacious, atmospheric production

Start with these tracks

Red Eyes

Under the Pressure

Strangest Thing

An Ocean in Between the Waves

If you like War on Drugs, try these

Kurt Vile

Adam Granduciel's former bandmate shares his laid-back, guitar-driven approach to songcraft.

2000s · Indie Folk

Real Estate

Both bands craft hazy, melodic indie rock with jangly guitars and nostalgic atmospheres.

2000s · Indie Rock

Beach House

Shared mastery of dreamy textures and emotional resonance through layered production.

Both blend Americana roots with experimental production and emotional vulnerability.

1990s · Alt-Country

Slowdive

Shared emphasis on creating emotional landscapes through effects-heavy guitar work.

1990s · Shoegaze

About this page

Music like War on Drugs — The War on Drugs, led by Adam Granduciel, craft expansive indie rock that channels Springsteen, Dylan, and krautrock into something uniquely modern. Their meticulous layering of guitars, synths, and atmospheric production has made them critical darlings and festival headliners.

Artists like War on Drugs today include Kurt Vile, Real Estate, Beach House, DIIV. If you enjoy War on Drugs, these artists share similar sonic qualities, influences, and emotional range.

Bands like War on Drugs and songs like War on Drugs are among the most searched music discovery queries — rootz.guru goes deeper by tracing the roots of the sound itself, not just surface-level similarity.