Emo is always growing and changing, inventing new paths for itself while also harkening back to the good old days of Vans Warped Tour and long drives through the suburbs. The genre of emo music has also become synonymous with the emo subculture, which grew mostly out of the third wave of emo during the mid-2000s. So who were the bands that shaped emo culture as we know it today?
Artist: Hot Mulligan
Years active: 2014 – Present
Hot Mulligan is at the forefront of today’s version of emo, having coined the term “post-emo” to describe their unique sound. Their music is rooted in emo sensibilities but incorporates elements of pop-punk and classic Midwest emo. Their major success started with their album you’ll be fine, released in 2020, and they’ve been on an upward trajectory ever since.
Lead vocalist Tades Sanville’s unique vocal style brings something totally different to the table, meshing perfectly with rhythm guitarist and vocalist Chris Freeman’s cleaner singing style. Throw in some intricate guitar work, catchy pop-punk breakdowns, detailed and introspective lyrics, and slightly insane song names (“Christ Alive My Toe Dammit Hurts” being just one of many) and you’ve got a recipe for success in today’s emo scene.
The band’s most recent release, The Sound a Body Makes When It’s Still, has been met with huge success. Hot Mulligan is headed out on tour this fall to support Pierce the Veil in Europe before returning to the U.S. for their own headline tour.
Artist: Mom Jeans.
Years active: 2014 – Present
Mom Jeans. helped bring a renewed energy to the genre and introduce it to a younger generation. Combining influences of pop-punk and Midwest emo (despite being from California), Mom Jeans. gained a massive following on social media thanks to their catchy, upbeat sound and introspective lyrics. They are another band that was clearly influenced by the guitar work of American Football.
The band independently released their first album, Best Buds, in 2016 and they’ve released three albums since then, with the most recent being Bear Market (2023). For the last several years, the band has enjoyed immense success on TikTok, often pushing out content that pairs their songs with funny or emotional themes.
Artist: Modern Baseball
Years active: 2011 – 2017
Hailing from Philadelphia, Modern Baseball were prominent in the fourth wave during the emo revival. They released a few EPs and three full-length albums before disbanding, but their contributions to the scene have been lasting.
Taking a more casual, somewhat humorous approach to their music made it approachable and vulnerable — the band didn’t take themselves too seriously, and by setting this example they invited listeners to adopt the same attitude. They also candidly covered themes like mental health struggles and what it’s like to be in your early twenties. These themes spoke directly to their young audience and helped influenced emo bands that would come after them.
The band unfortunately announced an indefinite hiatus in 2017 and hasn’t been heard from since, but fans are still holding out hope that they may see them again one day.
Artist: Paramore
Years active: 2004 – Present
Paramore further pushed the emo genre into the spotlight with a lot of energy and spunk. When the band burst onto the scene, frontwoman Hayley Williams’ fiery orange hair and incredible vocal range caught everyone’s attention. Signed to Fueled by Ramen, the band released their debut All We Know Is Falling in 2005 and joined the Warped Tour lineup for the first time.
Their major breakthrough, however, came with the release of their second album, Riot!, in 2007. The angsty lyrics were insanely relatable, and Williams’ powerful vocal performance was delivered with such passion and energy. This album defined a generation of musicians as it pushed the genre further into the spotlight, and Williams became perhaps the first female emo star. She was thriving in a male-dominated genre with her unapologetic attitude and unique look, and young women everywhere started to look up to her.
The band has gone through several lineup changes and had some turbulent times, but their ability to evolve their sound as the members evolve personally is a testament to their staying power. Their more recent releases lean into a softer production style, with After Laughter (2017) being heavily inspired by 80s synthpop and This Is Why (2023) having more of a post-punk sound.
Artist: Fall Out Boy
Years active: 2001 – 2009, 2013 – Present
Fall Out Boy is perhaps one of the most famous emo bands of all time. The band signed to Fueled by Ramen and released their debut album, Take This To Your Grave, in 2003. This landed them spots on Warped Tour and at South by Southwest (SXSW), and they appeared on the cover of the August 2004 issue of Alternative Press, shooting them further into the spotlight.
Their second album From Under The Cork Tree (2005) is consistently hailed as one of the most influential emo albums of all time and included hit singles “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down” and “Dance, Dance.” The band set themselves apart with their sense of humor and their blend of pop-punk and emo, helping to bring the overall genre into the mainstream. Plus, Pete Wentz’s iconic “guyliner” and swooped black bangs defined the emo look of the generation.
They followed up this album with several other notable releases and have won numerous awards, but their legacy reaches far beyond just their own successes. In fact, Pete Wentz is the one who signed Panic! At The Disco to his record label, Decaydance (now known as DCD2), in late 2004.
To check out all ten artists, read the full issue online or purchase a print copy while supplies last.
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