no more sports - hey wayne
B Tier
no more sports is the perfect example of post-irony; named so because there are too many Emo bands with sports references, they carry on the sports band name tradition while taking great influence from those same acts. Mathy guitar twinkles, slightly juvenile songwriting approach and the feeling of catharsis can all be found on this astounding nine minute EP. The band also released an even shorter s/t EP this year which is also excellent. This could be one of Detroit's best Emo bands in years, and that's quite the accomplishment!
Celebration Guns - Enough Already
B Tier
Longtime underrated Emos from Phoenix, Celebration Guns has had a banner year; they released an eye-opening split with Swiss Army Wife and Avec Plaisir and their own EP some months later. We're here to talk about the latter, Enough Already. Their trademark Math Rock / Midwest Emo combo is as potent as ever with some really intricate riffs. I'd call this Emo Revival Revival, but their prolific discography proves that the Revival never needed a Revival.
Everyone Asked About You. -Never Leave
B Tier
What a journey this group has been on! After riding the Second Wave early, they fizzled out by 2000 with little fanfare. Fast forward to the Emo Revival of the early 10s and this obscure Twee-infused Midwest Emo band was dug up by eager Millennial Emos on the internet, prompting the band to unveil never-before-heard material. Finally, in 2024, we get the first newly recorded material since before breaking up. Surprisingly faithful to their old sound while sounding as different as you would expect after almost 30 years away, this may not be their best work but still captures their signature charm.
Увага - Сум'яття
B Tier
Увага is a Ukranian Emo project that began life as a very traditional Emocore act before morphing into what we find on this album - mathy Midwest Emo in the vein of early Emo Revival artists. Intricate, twinkly riffs are the bread and butter of this album, though the rhythm instruments do an admirable job keeping pace. There are only two minor gripes I have: 1) the vocal performance is quite underwhelming and bland, and 2) the compositions, while pretty and satisfying, aren’t too original. The music is so good that it doesn't matter if it's a bit derivative.
Barely Civil - I'd Say I'm Not Fine
B Tier
I’d Say I’m Not Fine is another solid outing from longtime Wisconsin Emos Barely Civil and is modern Midwest Emo done right - hooking vocals, dynamic and diverse arrangements played with energy and sincerity. Despite the catchiness of the vocals and the vigor with which the band plays, nothing on this album quite stands out amongst their discography or the greater Emo tapestry of 2024. Still, your year isn’t complete until you hear this album at least once.
