Robb’s Recs: December Downers
Welcome back to Robb’s Recs! A monthly feature for my fellow middle aged emo kids who may be struggling to find new music this side of KONY 2012.
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? I guess in this scenario I’m Santa Clause and the following bands are all on my nice list. For the record though, I didn’t make a single MF sit on my lap. Not even one time. Now let’s ditch the metaphors and get to the music.
Dear Cincinnati
I really can’t say enough good things about this band. I’m nearly old enough to be their dad yet when I listen to them I don’t hear a band of kids figuring it out, I hear a fully fleshed out project with a clear vision and a knack for songwriting. For a band that’s barely a year old, these guys have been making massive strides. They released two EPs this year, one produced by Derek Berry of TRSH and the other produced by Billy Mannino (with some additional help from Derek), and each one shows the band getting better and better as they get more comfortable as a band. I’ve heard from an inside source that they’re planning to work with another big name for their next release, showing a drive and determination that most bands 10 years their senior don’t have.
Petti Hendrix
I first heard Petti this summer when he was featured on the Good Charlotte record (where he was the highlight) and I immediately knew he had something special. Then I heard Red Corvette. Look I don’t say this lightly, because for as much flack as MGK gets he has worked hard to get to where he is, but Petti Hendrix should be where MGK is. This is the future of pop punk. We’ve interviewed a lot of people on our show (the critically acclaimed hit podcast emo kids anonymous, number one in the demo of 18-35 year olds whose favorite band is sports.), and I’ve yet to speak to a single artist that is as electric as Petti Hendrix. So far in his music career, he has done no wrong.
Leisure Hour
Talk about the future of a genre. Leisure Hour should be the mf future and face of emo and emo adjacent music. They released an onslaught of great singles in 2025, from Jenny to Happy Birthday, but their newest single Jobs is their best work yet. In a perfect world this is a song you get sick of because it’s so overplayed on the radio. In my Emo All Stars list from a couple weeks ago, I asked if 2026 was the year we see Leisure Hour release a full length. The next day they announced they’re signing to Counter Intuitive Records and releasing their first full length in January. So I guess now I gotta ask, is 2026 the year that Leisure Hour takes over the fucking world?
Good Sleepy
Talk about a band that sneaks up on you. I had never heard Good Sleepy until last week, when their publicist reached out to get them on the podcast (the world renowned emo kids anonymous podcast, Scott’s records approved™️). At first I ignored the email, as I do every other obligation in my life, but then boredom got the best of me and I checked out their new single ZZZ and despite the dumbass name (I already took it up with their guitarist Seth, he apologized profusely I think idk I can’t really remember that far back), the song RIPPED. They released their first album when they were only in HS and their newest one is an absolute heater. When it drops in January, I think people are gonna be real excited about Good Sleepy.
Tiger Would!
AP athlete of the decade, tied for most PGA wins of all time included 15 Majors, a string of infidelity, Tiger Woods is arguably the most famous athlete of the 21st century. Tiger Would! is a totally different thing though (trust me I asked). Blending Midwest emo with alt rock and indie, this band of New Yorkers feel fresh af while also sounding familiar. They spent the better part of a year refining their sound and grinding it out playing local shows in the NY DIY scene before releasing music earlier this year and although they’ve only released a handful of songs they have yet to miss. Their track Obsessed! is the new theme song for EKA (the world famous podcast emo kids anonymous, rumored to be up for a Peabody as well as other journalism awards). WWTD? What would Tiger do? Tiger Would! Start an emo band.
Winona Fighter
At first glance, Winona Fighter might seem like your classic “female fronted” Warped Tour pop punk band but make no mistake, lead vocalist Coco Kinnon is that bitch. When we had them on our show months ago I was blown away to find out she came up in the Boston DIY scene, playing drums in bands for years before finally stepping up to the plate (or mic) and unleashing hell. This isn’t bubblegum pop punk, this is pop punk that’ll hold a knife to your neck in an alley and take your wallet and your wife. Their 2025 debut album My Apologies to the Chef was one of my highlights of the first half of the year and the deluxe edition, complete with a cover of Sabotage, is a more than worthy holdover until we get WF LP2
