With YouTube and the Internet, international bands are spreading into the US with their music faster than ever these days. Here are five awesome international bands/singers that you should lend an ear.

1. The Script

This trio was formed in Dublin in 2001, featuring Danny O’Donoghue, Mark Sheehan, and Glen Power. This band released #3, their third album in 2012 (after their 2009 debut The Script and 2011’s Science and Faith), which reached number one in the UK and in Ireland. This album includes ten tracks as well as a vocal collaboration with wil.i.am, “Hall of Fame,” which reached number one on the charts in Ireland, number two in the UK, number four in Australia, and number twenty-five in the USA. The Script is a great example of soft rock, mixing alternative with pop in a perfect blend that is great music when you’re studying or if you just need a song to help you through a bad time. If you like OneRepublic, Coldplay, or Maroon 5, give these guys a listen! Here are some songs to notice: “Hall of Fame,” “Dead Man Walking,” and “Broken Arrow.”

2. B∆STILLE (Bastille)

Bastille (written as B∆STILLE) is a band made up of four lads based in London. The main vocalist (Dan Smith) was originally a solo artist, until he decided to create this band. The other members include Chris (Woody) Wood, Kyle Simmons, and Will Farquarson. Bastille was formed in 2010. They have released past albums, but their most recent and probably their most popular is Bad Blood, featuring the song “Pompeii,” which charted number two in the UK. This album was released in March 2013 and has fifteen tracks on it. They mix alternative rock with indie rock, alongside a dash of electronic beats. Bastille can present a good pump up song or even a song to chill out to – along with brilliant vocal soundtracks and just enough of a beat to let you focus, but not so much you want to jump around. If you like Ed Sheeran, The Naked and Famous, or The Temper Trap, give these guys a listen. Here are some songs to notice: “Daniel in the Den,” “Things We Lost in the Fire,” and “Flaws.”

3. New Politics

This Danish rock-punk-electronic-dance group based in Copenhagen is made up of three musicians—David Boyd, the main vocalist; Søren Hansen, guitarist and vocalist; and Louis Vecchio, percussion and backing vocals. They have released two albums, the first, New Politics, in 2010, and then A Bad Girl in Harlem in 2013. They have opened for Fall Out Boy, and are currently the opening act for Pink. They are most known for their two singles, “Yeah Yeah Yeah” and “Harlem.” “Harlem” was featured in a Disney movie trailer (Frozen) and also in the 2013 NHL 14 video game. New Politics matches dance rock with spot-on vocals and a slightly electronic feel. Their music is best for a party playlist; you are assured to want to get up and dance if you listen to most of their music. If you are a fan of Avicii, Fall Out Boy, or The Neighbourhood, give these guys a quick listen. Here are some songs to notice: “Harlem,” “Goodbye Copenhagen,” and “Berlin.”

4. Arctic Monkeys

Yet another Britain-based band, the Arctic Monkeys were originally formed in 2002, formed with four people—Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Nick O’Malley, and Matt Helders. They released their first album, Whatever People Say I am, That’s What I’m Not, in 2006 and have released four subsequent albums, their most recent called AM. AM includes twelve tracks, including “Do I Wanna Know,” which was released as a single and “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?” which is resting at number eighty-six on USA Spotify’s ‘Top 100 tracks currently on Spotify” playlist. Arctic Monkeys is indie/alternative rock. Their earlier albums create a more jumpy and fierce beat ,while their newest album is much more calm, slow, and deliberate – but not lacking the pulsing energy the band tends to give off. They use a great mixture of drumbeats and guitar chords to weave songs that keep your ears entertained and lyrics that make your mind follow the music constantly. If you listen to or love The Vaccines, Vampire Weekend, or The Black Keys, give these guys a try. Here are some songs to notice: “Fluorescent Adolescent,” “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloot,” and “R U Mine?”

5. alt-J (∆)

alt-J (stylized as ∆) is based in Leeds, England and includes Joe Newman, guitar and vocals; Gwil Saisbury, guitar and bass; Gus Unger-Hamilton, keyboard; and Thom Green, drums. The band met and formed at Leeds Metropolitan University in 2007.  Their first album, An Awesome Wave, was released in 2012 and included four tracks from their earlier EP, including “Breezeblocks” and “Tesselate.” The album totals fourteen tracks, featuring “Fitzpleasure” and “Something Good.” Of these fourteen tracks, four are transition songs. alt-J presents a mixture of indie and alternative rock, the main vocalist’s voice being extremely distinctive so that no one sounds exactly like them. If you like Woodkid, Two Door Cinema Club, or if you’re looking for something completely different, give these guys a quick listen. Here are some songs to notice: “Fitzpleasure,” “Tesselate,” “Breezeblocks.”