2025 Emo Tier List: C Tier - B Tier
Pet Symmetry - Big Symmetry (C Tier)
Chicago Emo legend Evan Thomas Weiss’ latest release is through his big fun Pop-Punk project Pet Symmetry. Although not the most inspired release by this band, it is perhaps the zenith of the huge Poppy sound they have always strived for. If you enjoy mid-tempo Pop-Punk / Emo-Pop infusions with more than a glancing hint of The Progress, check this album out!
Stay Inside - Lunger (B- Tier)
The underground pride of Brooklyn, Stay Inside release their largest album yet with Lunger. Whereas their previous release, Inside, saw the group slowly shed their Post-Hardcore roots and confidently craft Emo with tinges of Post-Hardcore, Indie and Pop-Punk, Lunger feels like the band trying to evolve even farther beyond. However, it sounds more like the band throwing ideas at the wall, hoping they’ll stick. Fortunately for us, most of those ideas are fantastic and there are many awesome new tracks to enjoy, especially if you’re into the band’s insane brass.
Equipment - First time using slang (B- Tier)
Despite only being three songs in length, prolific 5th Wavers Equipment’s First time using slang feels enormous with three songs centered around what’s assuredly a silly gimmick: a picture of lab protection equipment. Using gigantic, melodic guitar lines, catchy earworm vocal hooks and playful quiet-loud song structuring, these three songs are all solid additions to this band’s ever-expanding discography. The final song, Facial Protection, even feels like it’s in three parts, as indicated on the album cover.
Worm Circus - Worm Circus (B- Tier)
Worm Circus is an exciting new Screamo duo from the fabled land of New Jersey. On their debut s/t EP, Worm Circus deliver dissonant, punishing Screamo with a bit of a metallic edge to it and some subtle mathy influence. This combination gives each song a foreboding atmosphere and crushes the listeners in its path. I’m looking forward to seeing what these two can pull off in the future.
tontoloop - together ok (B- Tier)
Chilean DIY darlings tontoloop return after their underrated 2023 EP. The duo remains lively and depressing, with timbres reminiscent of early 90s Alternative. They’ve significantly increased their production since their last foray, but it still has that underground appeal. Despite only having the two bandmates, they create songs that are full, dense, complex and atmospheric. I’m eagerly awaiting the band’s first long-form release!
LoudFoxCult - I’m Going to Heal, After You (B- Tier)
This energetic slice of Emp-Pop comes to us by way of the Detroit metropolitan area and comes out swinging! Even though nothing on here is breaking the mold, LoudFoxCult are more-than-comfortable fully exploring the combination of Pop-Punk, Emp-Pop and Indie influences, putting these elements in a blender and coming out with 11 songs that are all pretty good and claim their own individual identities. When that thirty minute runtime evaporates, get ready to press the play button over and over again!
FHMY - The World You Grew Up in No Longer Exists (B- Tier)
Cairene Emo Youssef Kahled Fahmy begins this serene record off with the appropriately-titled Egyptian Football, which primes the listener to the foremost influence of this album - Kinsella-esque Midwest Emo, complete with Math Rock and Post-Rock leanings. These elements are obscured by a thin Shoegaze veil, which influences the production choices. The music truly is spectacular, especially so as one of the few Middle Eastern Emo projects to EVER exist. My one knock against it is at 50 minutes in length, this behemoth is perhaps a bit unwieldy compared to its ambition.
My Friend, My Urn - Demo 2025 (B- Tier)
Having seen this band play live, I can assure you that their Screamo is ferocious and harkens back to the 2000s era of the genre. The first track is a massive 7+ minute sojourn, sublimely shifting the volume and intensity while the epic Post-Rock influence keeps things grandiose and melodic. The second track is barely a minute long and is an all-out Emoviolence assault on the senses. I’m looking forward to seeing what the band can do with better production and more time.
The Casper Fight Scene - The Casper Fight Scene (B Tier)
Emo Revival worship from Yoopers in The Casper Fight Scene, this self-titled album is the band's glorious full-length debut. Everything fans would want from this album is included, with all of the cool twinkly guitar tricks, mid-tempo song lengths and an admirably varied sound on each song of the record. While no track on here is a true standout, the entire album is worth a listen.
Special Beam Cannon - Special Beam Cannon (B Tier)
Despite clocking in at less than eight and a half minutes, this fun little jaunt through Mathy Emo has a bit of meat on its bones. Now yes, it’s clear that the band members are all just trying to have a rad time and make sick music, but as is the case with many artists in the genre, that’s the exact approach needed to make quality tunes, and these Australians are no different.
eardrums - You Look Just Like Me (B Tier)
You Look Just Like Me is a poignant Screamo album under the pretense of being a Math Rock project with a hint of Jane’s Addiction for good measure. This funky mix works surprisingly well, allowing for both the screamed and clean vocals to shed vulnerability with each note. Had this been a bit more cohesive or consistent, this record would easily be one of the best of the year.
Hot Mulligan - The Sound a Body Makes When It’s Still (B Tier)
2025 marks the 10th anniversary of Hot Mulligan’s first releases, two EPs that showcased their Emo-Pop / Pop-Punk combo with Emo Revival tendencies, such as the ever-present twinkles. All this time later, Hot Mulligan has become one of the most fruitful Emo bands in the scene, having released nearly 100 songs across four studio albums, numerous EPs and alternative song versions. Has their sound evolved? Well yeah, but it’s still the same Hot Mulligan you’d expect to hear. Tades’ typically incredible vocal performance is once again the highlight of their music.
Dikembe - King (B Tier)
Prolific stalwarts of the Emo Revival, Dikembe has exhaustively explored the intersections between Midwest Emo and Emo-Pop, Indie Rock, Pop-Punk and even Alternative throughout their discography and are content to release occasional material at their leisure these days. Their first such release of original music since 2020, King is an excellent distillation of their different masks worn over a lengthy career, leaning heavily into the Indie vibes with Emo Revival-guided songwriting. If you like any of Dikembe’s older material, you’re bound to like this too!
That’s it for today! I’ll be back tomorrow with more B Tier greatness!
