Alright alright so I tried cosplaying as a journalist again the other week when I released my first annual emo lists (™️) and I caught a LOT of flack. Granted, a lot less flack than I expected, but flack nonetheless. You know what though? 96.7% of it was warranted. I did just skip over some obvious picks, but can you really blame me? This was a huge year for emo and truthfully 20+ bands could have been on either list.
All that being said, here are some of the obvious misses:
TRSH
I’m not sure anyone gave back to the scene in 2025 more than Derek Berry. Recently referred to as the president of emo by Shane from Adjust the Sails, Derek and TRSH seem to be THE emo band of the younger generation. I just saw them on their headlining tour with sports., TOB and Kerosene Heights and the crowd skewed very young. This band is bringing in the next era of emo bands like a mf.
Dear Maryanne
From the viral success of Natty Ice to headlining the Fake Emo Fight Night tour with Summerbruise and MooseCreek Park, 2025 was a helluva year for Freddie and the fellas. The fun Tiktoks bring people in, but Freddie’s innate songwriting ability and charm make them wanna stick around.
Algernon Cadwallader
Much like sports., Algernon were an insanely influential band during their peak over a decade ago but now they are back and better than ever. Their new album on Saddle Creek was not only a return to form, but arguably a step above their previous material.
Michael Cera Palin
MCP released one of the stronger albums of the first half of the year with We Could Be Brave. They followed this up by relentless touring throughout the year with everyone from Say Anything to Stars Hollow to Aren’t We Amphibians. They’ll be starting off 2026 with a tour of Australia and Asia, so next year should be pretty busy as well.
First Day Back
Dubbed “the most Midwest of the Midwest emo bands” by Scott’s Records™️, First Day Back have received non stop critical acclaim this year following the release Forward. Along with bands like Aren’t We Amphibians and Collars, the Santa Cruz based First Day Back are showing the scene that when it comes to midwest emo, don’t sleep on the west coast.
The Low Blow
Not only is Forest For The Trees one of the best emo albums of 2025, it’s one of the most moving records of the year regardless of genre. The range throughout this album (lyrically, musically, sonically) puts Patsy & co in a league of their own.
Pool Kids
JFC, how could I forget POOL KIDS?! Their third album Easier Said Than Done was their first on Epitaph and it felt like a true coming out party. Truth be told I didn’t even think to add Pool Kids the first time around. They’re bigger than Emo now. They’re not our band anymore, they’re everyone’s band.
The All-American Rejects
How can you deny that 2025 was the year of the Rejects? No legacy band felt more relevant in 2025 than Tyson Ritter and the boys. Between the house show tour, new music and public appearances everywhere from NPR to the Savannah Bananas, AAR are back and cooler than ever before.