Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 3 + 4 is out now, and with it comes a wave of early 2000s nostalgia. Developer Iron Galaxy’s pseudo-remake completely recaptures the fun of grinding round airports whereas peppering in some new skateparks of its personal. Extra crucially, it brings again a few of the biggest punk rock bangers to ever grace a online game soundtrack. Basic songs from Adolescents and CKY return for the remake, however the soundtrack is far more strong than that. In reality, the majority of the songs featured are solely new additions, bringing in all the pieces from trendy hip-hop artists to gloriously sloppy punk bands.
Whereas that will disappoint some purists, the brand new music is the spotlight of the package deal. It accommodates a bounty of killer tracks that match proper in alongside Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades.” From my early hours spent skating round searching for secret tapes, I’ve discovered a music discovery instrument that’s far more practical than Spotify. There’s worth in a closely curated playlist constructed round a particular vibe fairly than the free suggestions of an algorithm. It seems like listening to a mixtape hand-made by Tony Hawk himself.
With so many new artists featured, the concept of discovering your new favourite musician in that playlist might really feel just a little daunting. So, within the spirit of curation, enable me to kind via the report crate and hand you a number of gems. These are a few of my very own favourite artists featured within the sport who actually seize the spirit of Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater and the skate tradition that birthed it. For those who dig the songs included within the soundtrack, contemplate trying out their albums — and ideally in a approach that may truly pay out for them.
Advisable album: Hellmode
Even earlier than the remake was introduced, I dreamed of the day when Jeff Rosenstock could be featured in a Tony Hawk sport. The cult icon has been a staple of the New York punk scene ever since his days in The Smug Sons of Bitches and Bomb the Music Business. He’s since spun that right into a profitable solo profession that’s earned him a loyal fanbase. I noticed him carry out at a residency in Brooklyn a number of months again and the man ripped via a 36-song setlist the place he performed via a complete album, entrance to again, and stopped to cowl a bunch of Neil Younger songs with Laura Stevenson (who simply launched her terrific new album, Late Nice). Rosenstock’s glorious “Head,” a blitz of a punk music, is featured in THPS 3 + 4. For those who dig it, there’s a lot extra the place that got here from.
Advisable album: Summertime ‘06
The Tony Hawk video games aren’t nearly celebrating skate tradition, but in addition California, the place Tony Hawk made a reputation for himself. The Professional Skater’s sequence’ soundtracks have lengthy paid tributed to bands from cities like Los Angeles, and THPS 3 + 4 very a lot continues that run. Not solely that, but it surely makes an energetic effort to symbolize extra genres of music, together with hip-hop. Consequently, Lengthy Seashore rapper Vince Staples will get a well-earned spot on the soundtrack together with his 2015 single Norf Norf. It’s an ideal alternative too, because it’s the breakout music that helped springboard the rapper to what’s since been a constant profession. Whereas he’s put out a number of albums since then, his debut Summertime ‘06 stays a improbable start line for those who’re seeking to dig in.
Few musicians are as unmistakable as Danny Brown. Even for those who don’t know his identify, you’ll immediately be capable of determine him by his untraditional voice. Even earlier than discovering mainstream success with albums like XXX and Outdated, the Detroit rapper was making a reputation for himself as a gust on tracks by the likes of El-P, and Ab-Soul. He’s since gone from a prolific function artist to the primary attraction, getting extra experimental with every new launch. That got here to a head in 2023 with Scaring the Hoes, his glorious collaboration with JPEGMafia. You would possibly need to work your approach as much as that one, so I’d suggest getting your toes moist with the critically acclaimed Outdated first.
Advisable album: Romance
There are many rising artists on the soundtrack, however Fontaines D.C. are presently on essentially the most meteoric run of the bunch. The Irish rock outfit has been impressing critics since 2019 with albums like Dogrel, the place THPS 3 + 4 spotlight Boys within the Higher Land comes from. They took off like a rocket final yr with the discharge of Romance, their greatest business success up to now. Chances are you’ll, actually, already be conversant in their music. Their hit “Starburster” soundtracked Borderlands 4’s debut trailer eventually yr’s Recreation Awards, and can also be the title credit score music for Paramount Plus present Mobland. Don’t be stunned for those who see them popping up in additional video video games quickly.
Advisable album: King of the Seashore
THPS 3 + 4 is a good early 2000s time capsule, but it surely additionally takes me again to 2008. That was proper smack dab within the period of “weblog rock” bands, as music shops like Pitchfork had been creating careers for acts like Tapes ‘n Tapes and Vampire Weekend. One among my favourite bands to return out of that period was Wavves, a San Diego challenge from songwriter Nathan Williams. The band’s debut, King of the Seashore, is peak weblog rock. It’s an lively little debut headlined by the killer surf title monitor now featured in THPS 3 + 4. Whereas that album continues to be arguably their finest, Wavves has saved kicking since. Their newest album, Spun, simply launched in late June and it’s nonetheless as peppy as ever.
Advisable album: Germfree Adolescents
Whereas I really like that THPS 3 + 4 contains so many more moderen artists, it’s essential to pay respects to the classics too. That’s why I’m so blissful to see X-Ray Spex within the combine with the livid “Identification.” The short-lived British punk band was the brainchild of singer Poly Styrene, an artist who went on to affect the ‘90s riot grrrl motion in America. For those who’ve by no means heard them earlier than, you owe it to your self to take a look at Germfree Adolescents, the band’s solely album throughout its unique run (they might briefly reunite in 1995 for a remaining album). It’s a foundational punk report filled with shrieking guitar riffs that paved the best way for loads of bands that will go on to turn into Professional Skater staples.