Reia Cibele - Reia Cibele

B Tier

The latest and greatest purveyor of Emoviolence in Portugal, Reia Cibele's self-titled is a force of nature, beginning with a brutal assault on the ears, though this 13-minute trek through mathy and sassy Emoviolence is actually quite varied. While each track is worth a listen, they combine to form a record that flows supremely well. Keep your eye out for this group.

Dead Butterflies - I See Myself In you, I Hate It

B Tier

Dead Butterflies is a project from prolific Drum and Bass musician POSITIVE+, known for its tremendous Ambient influence. Micah applies that atmospheric depth to I See Myself In You, debut album for this Emo project. Coming from an entirely different genre allows for unique approaches to writing music, and this fits well with the spirit of 5th Wave Emo. The record has all the bones of a worthy Midwest Emo album - heartrending riffs, quiet-loud dynamics, emotional lyrical content - and overlays them with electronic drum elements, synths and highly-processed vocals for a Shoegaze-like effect. Dead Butterflies already has multiple studio albums out this year alone - start with this one.

Bummer Hill - Far Removed

B Tier

Trying to peg these eclectic musicians is a tough task; some tracks on Far Removed are through-and-through Emo-Pop goodness while other songs ride the softer Indie Rock wave. Others still borrow from the heaviest of Pop-Punk bands. This versatility is punctuated by top-notch production, highlighting the different tones this band aims for. The singer's smooth voice produces some very catchy melodies, but he also knows how to explode when necessary. If nothing else, this record is one of the most interesting of the year.

bonus - was a dog

B Tier

Brand new Emo Revival Revival band bonus enter the scene with a delightfully twinkly and raw throwback to the early 10s with a cavalcade of epic riffs, DIY recording and production, flawed yet emotional vocals and some truly kickass tracks. At less than 13 minutes, this band shows us a small preview of the epicness they can craft.

Bulgarelli - Fat Animals

B Tier

Bulgarelli adds another quality thread to the grand fabric of Italian Emo with their debut LP, a strong outing that takes cues from both traditional Midwest Emo of the Second Wave and mathy Midwest Emo of the Revival. The emphasis is naturally on the guitars, which do a phenomenal job covering melody and harmony with slick dual guitar lines. The rhythm section more than holds their own, though, allowing the earnest vocals to stand out when necessary.