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.
Heart to Gold - Free Help
#8 | A Tier
Moody Emo veterans H2G finally unlock their melodic potential by adding in a heaping teaspoon of radiant Emo-Pop into the mix. With one of the best vocalists in Emo today throwing caution to the wind, the vocals are far and away the best feature of this record, but the lighter direction the band took helps to highlight the bombastic singing to a higher degree. While the instrumental virtuosity isn't a priority, the band's performance is consistent and superb, delivering possibly the finest addition to this underrated band’s discography.
Stay Inside - Ferried Away
#9 | A Tier
Stay Inside eschews the darker Post-Hardcore tones of their previous work in favor of brighter Pop-Punk ones on Ferried Away to magnificent results. This is the perfect Summer Emo album to vibe to on the beach while wallowing over a breakup. The horns add depth to the melodies but also contribute to the isolated vibes. For fans of their older work, there are still some moody and atmospheric tracks, placed perfectly within the album’s immaculate flow. You need to stop reading and start listening! Now!
Oolong - Oolong
#10 | A Tier
Oft cited as one of the premier bands of the Weedmo movement, Oolong's self-titled release does little to shake the stigma of juvenility that comes with the label. However, this nearly hour-long survey of Midwest Emo styles showcases the band moving beyond the hyper Math Rock influences of their first release. Of course, there are still tons of amazing riffs, raw and gritty production choices and fun vocal melodies, but the band shows remarkable musical growth and appreciation for the history of the genre.
