Viva Belgrado - Cancionero de los Cielos
A- Tier
A decade sure is a long time; ten years ago, Viva Belgrado released their legendary debut LP, featuring a serene approach to the Post-Rock / Screamo combo. Contrast that with their newest release, Cancionero de los cielos, an album ripped from the La Dispute / Touché Amore school of Emo. However, fans are keenly aware of how gradual the change occurred over the last four albums and are likely thrilled to listen to one of the smoothest pieces of Post-Hardcore-tinted Emo to come out in years with that signature Viva Belgrado atmosphere.
Black Pine - I Hope the Leaves Change Soon for You
A- Tier
Black Pine is a newer Screamo / Emocore band from New York and their latest album is one for the books! They use Emocore as the basis of their music while injecting harrowing Screamo elements into the mix. Scattered Midwest Emo twinkles dust the wasteland while sections of noise act as interludes. I Hope the Leaves Change is one of the most refreshing releases this year, doing so by looking to the past raw and cathartic Emo of yore for inspiration.
Bully Maguire - charlie calls 'im blimpy
A- Tier
Still reeking of that youthful irony that defined their debut EP last year, Bully Maguire actually mature as songwriters on their second EP in as many years. Still at five songs, charlie calls ‘im blimpy has more variety than their debut, including a gorgeous 9+ minute track toward the end. The vocals are scintillating with passion and keeps the music grounded. If you like Math Rock and Midwest Emo, you will love this band and this EP. Once they unleash a full-length record, people are going to take notice.
Wapddi - Like Our Friend Murphy
A- Tier
Infectiously fun, wildly explorative and ridiculously melodic, South Korea’s hidden Emo gem Wapddi delivers one of the freshest albums of the entire year. 5th Wave Emo fans rejoice! This release takes influence from a multitude of other genres, including Math Rock, Power Pop, Indie and Post-Rock. The superlative influences actually meld together quite naturally here, with song after song feeling instinctively in its place as the album presses on. Some of the catchiest vocal and instrumental melodies of the entire year are just casually found several places throughout each song.
A Rise (And Fall) of a Dilapidated Home - I'm Calling All the Lightes Out Now
B+ Tier
While this did release in 2023, it was on December 30th. Seeing as I made an exception for Chinese Football last year and already reviewed their EP Quit Running, featuring songs not used on this album. A Rise (And Fall) produces this fragile sound so delicate that the songs could fall apart at any moment. This one man project resembles Second Wave Midwest Emo as interpreted by a select few bands like BLA and Empire! Empire!, which is to say cathartic Midwest Emo with modern sensibilities. Infused with Post-Rock, this album is personal, confessional and serene, so please don’t miss out on this depressing musical adventure.
