Kerosene Heights - Leaving
🥇#1 | S Tier
Following up on their first full-length release in 2023, Kerosene Heights plowed forward with as much momentum as any band in 2024, releasing this EP and a split with Swiss Army Wife. Leaving is a masterclass high-energy Emo, incorporating the drive of Pop-Punk with the maturity and catharsis of Midwest Emo. At only four songs, each track stands out and is brilliantly written, saying as much as they did in 2023 with about ⅓ the time. Kerosene Heights is well on their way to being one of the most consistently incredible Emo bands of this era.
Origami Angel - Feeling Not Found
🥉#3 | S Tier
Gami Gang rejoice! This is Origami Angel’s best outing since GOATed Emo album Somewhere City, and that is an amazing statement given their legendary discography. Whereas on their debut LP they clung to a youthful and somewhat naive sense of hope and optimism despite life's turmoils., on Feeling Not Found, five years later, they present a new sense of cautious optimism that only wisdom and world-weariness can draw out. Replacing their fixation with Math Rock is a penchant for Easycore riffs and breakdowns, the latter of which is particularly creative and ubiquitous on this record. Despite being 14 songs deep, almost every track is prominent and serves a function on the larger experience.
Scumma Do Mar - Gamba Tesa
#6 | A+ Tier
Gamba Tesa is an energetic jaunt through twenty minutes of Mathy Emo filled with twinkly riffs, odd time signatures and passionate vocals. Though this description could fit hundreds of records in this genre, native Neapolitans Scumma do Mar inject their music with that little something that keeps you engaged and makes you put this album on repeat. This LP will keep you on your toes, even if it isn’t treading original ground.
Heart to Gold - Free Help
#8 | A Tier
Moody Emo veterans H2G finally unlock their melodic potential by adding in a heaping teaspoon of radiant Emo-Pop into the mix. With one of the best vocalists in Emo today throwing caution to the wind, the vocals are far and away the best feature of this record, but the lighter direction the band took helps to highlight the bombastic singing to a higher degree. While the instrumental virtuosity isn't a priority, the band's performance is consistent and superb, delivering possibly the finest addition to this underrated band’s discography.
Stay Inside - Ferried Away
#9 | A Tier
Stay Inside eschews the darker Post-Hardcore tones of their previous work in favor of brighter Pop-Punk ones on Ferried Away to magnificent results. This is the perfect Summer Emo album to vibe to on the beach while wallowing over a breakup. The horns add depth to the melodies but also contribute to the isolated vibes. For fans of their older work, there are still some moody and atmospheric tracks, placed perfectly within the album’s immaculate flow. You need to stop reading and start listening! Now!