There’s just something about a good DIY punk band.. the raw edge, honest writing, the artistic passion that explodes out of the speakers and into your soul. Atlanta based up and comers, The Carolyn, have it all in spades.

Elder emos rejoice; Massachusetts foursome, Have Fun! are here to deliver all the nostalgic feels you’ve been missing. Their curious origin story includes early releases produced with Alan Day (Four Years Strong) and an appearance on Judge Jerry Springer. Since 2022, though, the guys have sorted out their lineup and their sound, inspired by classic scene sweethearts including Fall Out Boy and Bayside. Their songs range from playful pop-punk bangers to cozy, shoe gazey chill tracks; they bring a little something for every emo kid in your mom’s minivan. Have Fun! Is coming for every one of your sad little hearts, and they won’t stop until they’ve touched them all.  

It is imperative that everyone listen to this album. What Hayley Williams has done is truly on another level; metaphorically shedding her skin as the front person of Paramore and becoming her own entity. This journey is necessary and stunning, and it is quite unlike observing her past solo album cycles. Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party is so heartbreakingly beautiful, letting those who choose to listen comfortably sit with many levels of uncertainty.

Boy Throb versus the Shadow Baddies - it's this year's biggest boy band battle, not unlike NSYNC vs Backstreet Boys in the 90's. Only this time, something feels different. It’s raising an important question: Are these bands meant to be bands, or are they entertainers first and artists second?

2025 was a pivotal year in terms of new music releases - from bands that have been around for years, to up-and-coming artists bringing a fresh, new sound to the scene. With the turn of a new year, could 2026 possibly top the music drops of 2025?

“This is… incredible.” 

Me to my childhood best friend as we descended into the sea of denim and black t-shirts that was the Vans Warped Tour 30th Anniversary in Washington, DC this past summer. For the first time since 2019, droves of music fans descended upon the festival grounds for a weekend of music (loud… music), sweat, and the bizarre, communal catharsis that is the mosh pit.

Greetings, friends; allow me to introduce you to the most wholesome band in the scene. Meet The Drawn Out. With sparkling vocals and moving melodies, they join an exploding cohort of female-fronted bands taking over the scene.

Chicago, the “Epicenter of the Midwest,”  is home to many staples of American culture, - deep dish pizza, the Cubs, and Barack Obama - but what many people may not know is that it is home to some of the best music venues in the country. A myriad of artists have graced the stages of “The Windy City,” and some of our NAPNET crew and Chicago natives, Ricky and Lisa, are here to give you their ranking of the top 5 Chicago music venues in 2025. Let’s take a look at their love letter to Chicago.  

2025 was the best year of my adult life when it comes to music. I feel blessed that so many of the bands on this list are bands who have been on our show (the instant hit podcast, Emo Kids Anonymous).

The mountain air felt crisp as we pulled into Estes Park, that high altitude feeling mixing with the kind of excitement you get before seeing a band whose music was part of the soundtrack to your teens. We made the trip for the Face To Face show at the Stanley Hotel, and the whole town already felt like the right place for it.

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.

December is finally upon us and you know what that means! It’s list season! At this very moment, jits from every corner of the earth are writing their wish lists to the big guy while he’s checking and rechecking his list, making sure it’s perfect. That’s kind of an analogy for December, ya know?

Do you remember that one guy in high school? The gritty charmer who threw the wildest parties and never seemed to get in trouble? Well, he grew up, and today he’s cooler than ever.

Hello friends! Look, do you really care about what my top 10 newer tracks are right now? I have no idea. But i’m sharing it with you anyway. As resident swemo in this NAPNET organization, I present to you, a collection of newer songs for folks who love putting the pop in their pop-punk but also still want sweaty basement punk vibes. lOOK YOU NEED TO STOP LISTENING TO THE SAME SONGS FROM 20 YEARS AGO, MAYBE THIS WILL HELP.

What happens when four nerdy scene kids grow up but refuse to grow out of their love of emo music? Turns out, they get together to form a pretty rad band. Self-proclaimed ‘sad dad’ rockers, Further North, are everything you remember loving about your local pop-punk garage band, only a little older and with an extensive library of corny puns at the ready. 

At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, 2025 was one of the best years for emo and emo adjacent music in decades. It felt like every Friday there was a new album of the year contender.

Welcome to the first ever NAPNET Freshman Fifteen. If the Emo All Stars of 2025 list is the all-pro team, then is more like a top prospects lists than an all rookie team. Look, if hip hop and baseball get to do it then why can’t we?

I thought it was only fitting to start with some bands I’ve had on the podcast that some people may have missed! I’m starting out with New Jersey’s own Palamino! I found Palamino on TikTok, and I am forever thankful because Palamino checked all the boxes to be a “Lisa band.” There is grit, emotional lyrics, and beautiful moments scattered within Palamino’s songs.

Hello friends! Look, do you really care about what my top 10 newer tracks are right now? I have no idea. But i’m sharing it with you anyway. As resident swemo in this NAPNET organization, I present to you, a collection of newer songs for folks who love putting the pop in their pop-punk but also still want sweaty basement punk vibes. lOOK YOU NEED TO STOP LISTENING TO THE SAME SONGS FROM 20 YEARS AGO, MAYBE THIS WILL HELP.