Post-punk
Neurotic energy and locked grooves—this is how you outrun yourself
By Rob Gordon
Wicker Park before it was brunch—this is what it sounded like. Gang of Four leaking out of basement windows, Joy Division on somebody's boom box at the bus stop, that jittery, can't-sit-still feeling that made you want to either start a band or go for a run at 11 PM. I usually chose the run.\n\nHere's the thing about post-punk: it doesn't give you an easy out. It's not anthemic stadium rock telling you you're a champion. It's not four-on-the-floor house music turning your brain off. Post-punk is angular, neurotic, locked into a groove that's slightly uncomfortable—and that's exactly why it works for running. Because most runs, the good ones, live in that same space. You're not floating. You're negotiating with your body, finding a rhythm that's part propulsion, part argument.\n\nThe bass lines do the work. Peter Hook, Kira from Black Flag, the low-end churn that IDLES rides—they're all playing the same trick: forward motion without resolution. It's hypnotic but it won't let you relax. Your turnover syncs up without you noticing. You're three miles in before you realize you've been locked in at tempo pace and your brain stopped complaining two songs ago.\n\nI keep coming back to post-punk for mid-week runs when I'm too tired to care about pace but too wired to stay home. The Cure's "Primary," DEVO's mechanized twitch, Romeo Void's "Never Say Never"—these aren't songs that let you off easy. They're tense, propulsive, just uncomfortable enough to keep you honest. Dick used to argue that post-punk was too depressing for running. I told him depression and melancholy aren't the same thing, and besides, Ian Curtis probably ran faster than both of us. He didn't have a good answer for that.\n\nFifteen playlists deep in this category and I still haven't found the bottom. That's the point. Post-punk rewards repeat listens, repeat miles. It doesn't resolve. Neither do most training runs. You just show up, lock in, and go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of pace does post-punk work for?
Tempo runs and steady-state efforts where you need to hold something uncomfortable for a while. This isn't jog-around-the-park music. Post-punk lives between 7:30 and 8:30 minute miles for most people—fast enough that you're working, not so fast you can't think. IDLES will drag you through a threshold workout. The Cure will get you through eight miles at marathon pace without checking your watch every thirty seconds. If you're doing easy recovery, save this for another day.
What's the BPM range for post-punk running music?
You're looking at 120-140 BPM mostly, but it's deceptive because the groove doesn't always land where you expect it. Wire and Gang of Four live around 130-135—perfect for tempo work. DEVO goes mechanized and rigid, which weirdly works for intervals if you're into that robotic turnover thing. The bass line matters more than the BPM here. If the low-end is driving forward, your legs will follow. Don't overthink it. Put on 'MIXTAPE 1' and see where your stride settles.
Which post-punk artists should I start with for running?
IDLES if you need something modern and aggressive that won't let you quit. The Cure if you want that hypnotic, can't-stop-won't-stop groove—'Primary' or anything off Seventeen Seconds. DEVO for when you want to feel like a machine in the best way possible. Romeo Void if you need proof that post-punk has a pulse. And look, if you're not running to Wire's 'Mannequin' or Joy Division at least once, you're missing the whole point. These aren't background tracks. They demand something from you, and they'll get it.
Is post-punk better for intervals or long runs?
Tempo runs and threshold work, no question. Post-punk is built for sustained discomfort, and that's exactly what tempo pace is. You're holding an effort that's hard but controlled, and these songs—tense, propulsive, never quite resolving—they mirror that feeling perfectly. Can you do intervals to IDLES? Sure, if your intervals are longer than 90 seconds. But short, explosive track repeats? Nah. Save that for hardcore. Long runs depend on your tolerance for melancholy, but I've done plenty of Sunday 12-milers to The Cure without wanting to jump in the lake.
Why does post-punk feel different from regular punk for running?
Because punk wants to destroy everything in two minutes, and post-punk wants to lock you into a groove and see how long you can last. Punk is a sprint. Post-punk is a war of attrition. The tempo is often similar, but post-punk has space, dynamics, bass lines that hypnotize instead of just bludgeon. When you're running, that difference matters. Ramones will get you out the door. Joy Division will keep you out there when your brain starts negotiating. It's the difference between adrenaline and nervous energy. Both work. One lasts longer.