Might be thrip damage or bud worms. Or, it could have been a weather problem during development. Hard to say.

Did you by any chance spray Roundup near the rose? I have damaged roses this way, even tho I was being extra careful. No more Roundup for me. Ever.

It doesn't look like insect damage close up, I did have them sprayed a few weeks ago for aphids and had to cut them down a bit (but they were mostly on the older bushes). I didn't spray Roundup, although I have a landscaper that may have (but I doubt it)... it does look closest to that kind of damage though after a quick google search. It is a bit weird as it is only most of the plant that's affected... there are one or two canes that look normal on one side of it, and then the rest is growing in looking weird and... frizzy, for lack of a better word! Doesn't look like rose rosette and no white mildew... also this bush is right next to the two healthy ones, I just planted them all this year as bare root roses. Could it be something toxic in the soil just right in that spot?? paulieinct, did your rose come back from the roundup damage?

This is an overall view of the three bushes, the affected one is in the middle. I cut off a bunch of it about a month ago and it's still growing in like this :( not quite as bad as before though

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I really don't see any problem, plus it is a new rose this season. After it has gone through at least one complete bloom cycle and is starting on its second cycle, let's see if there is a problem then. But I really doubt it will happen.