your arms are my cocoon - death of a rabbit
A Tier
In 2020, YAAMC controversially released their s/t EP, singlehandedly establishing Bedroom Skramz as the genre of the times. Beloved by many, it remains unlistenable for a huge swath of Emo fans. Fast forward four years into the future and YAAMC has released their first proper full-length record. While Bedroom Skramz hasn’t really evolved since it was introduced in 2020, Tyler Odum took the last four years to mature his sound. death of a rabbit is fragile and cathartic with many quiet instruments like acoustic guitars and soft synths juxtaposed against harsher synths and desperate screams. Listening to this album feels like prying into someone’s diary, a document of their private thoughts. And while it almost feels wrong, the near 45-minute runtime evaporates with each listen. Definitely listen to this whether you liked the 2020 s/t or not.
Strelitzia - Winter
A Tier
Arizona Emo band Strelitzia formed nearly a decade ago in 2015 and have only released one EP back in 2017. The promise displayed in those 20 minutes is fulfilled on their debut album Winter, a monumental effort of Midwest Emo, Math Rock, Post-Rock and Indie, among other influences. Refreshing and varied song structures give this album a unique identity among the other Emo contemporaries. Though they are prone to superfluous instrumentation, the breadth of their sounds and depth of their songwriting prevents it from being utter wankery.
Ogbert the Nerd - What You Want
A Tier
Following up on their breakout 2020 album I Don’t Hate You, Ogbert the Nerd finally returns with What You Want. Let me tell you, don’t talk about a sophomore slump with this band! More Emo with strong Post-Hardcore and Pop-Punk roots is found on here with fewer songs but a bit more focus than their last album. A powerful and melodic (if a bit rough around the edges) vocal performance from shutty emphasizes the solid, kinetic and diverse instrumental accompaniments by the rest of the band. It’s quite refreshing to hear a band that sounds like this that doesn’t also sprinkle the twinkle into their songs haphazardly, even if I love that.
STOMACH BOOK - SOPHOMORE SLUMP CALLITHUMP
A Tier
Stomach Book is a band unafraid of the 5th Wave Emo label. In fact, they thrive on it; there's lots of not-unfounded comparisons to glass beach, though they draw from entirely different wells of inspiration. Stomach Book enjoys the chaos from combining Emo with Noise Rock, which often emanates a dark carnival vibe. Cathartic, poignant, experimental, boisterous, dissonant and utter mayhem is how you can describe this LP, and even that can't fully encapsulate this beast. Recommended for those looking for something different and offbeat.
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.
