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.
drive your plow over the bones of the dead - tragedy as catharsis
#7 | A+ Tier
One of the noisiest and most unrelenting Emoviolence albums of all time, tragedy as catharsis is a Hell of a debut LP from native Canucks drive your plow. The arrangements are tumultuous and suffocating, aided by the ultra-distorted guitars and boisterous drumming. However, this wall of sound that’s created as a result belies the supreme technicality under the hood; blistering chord progressions, time signature shenanigans and subtle intensity dynamics showcase a band handily biting off in less than 20 minutes one of the most ambitious Emoviolence records ever. Although the deafening dissonance and cacophony are one of the album's strongest points, slightly clearer production could have improved this.
Bird Bone - Лейтмотив
A Tier
One of the most impassioned records of the year comes by way of Russia's Bird Bone. The group's sophomore LP is a potent mix of Midwest Emo and Pop-Punk with blistering Math Rock and Screamo sensibilities. Excellent production amplifies the virtuosic guitar playing with memorable melodies being a priority. The vocals are some of the most sincere and emotive of the year, even if you don't understand what they are singing. This release proves that the universal language is, in fact, Emo.
Kudaranai1nichi - Every Last One of Them
A- Tier
Finding comfort in the raw Midwest Emo tones of 2000s Japanese legends like Malegoat and susquatch, the instrumental recordings are strong but never abrasive, a credit to the excellent production. The vocals are infectious and intertwine with the guitar melodies splendidly; at times, like much of the best Japanese Emo, the vocal performance of Daisuke Takane drift into otherworldly territory. Refreshingly, this album isn't Kinsella worship, grounding this otherwise youthful and energetic exercise in sadness.
Terry Green - PROVISIONAL LIVING
A- Tier
Is this album a long-lost relic of 2000s Screamo recently unearthed? No, but Terry Green gets pretty damn close. Carrying the legacy of being a sick Skramz band with a first and last name, Terry Green's passionate and aggressive songwriting is a welcome sound for those who miss the heavier side of Screamo from the 00s. For those who prefer newer Skramz, Terry Green’s crisp production values make this feel quite modern. Behold one of Canada’s true Emo gems with this album.
