Emo Music
Whether you're into early emo with it's hardcore and punk roots, Midwest emo or screamo, we all use our music as an escape and to express ourselves. Music motivates and inspires us, it gives us an outlet and it brings us together.
If you're looking for suggestions, you're in the right place. The following playlists include quintessential emo artists and songs including The Used, Hawthorne Heights, Taking Back Sunday, Jimmy Eat World, Fall Out Boy, American Football and more.
Be sure to check out the official EmoPuddle playlist, curated by our staff and members!
Community Playlist
Emo Music Playlist
Screamo Playlist
First Wave:
The first wave of emo, with punk and post-hardcore roots, began in Washington D.C. in the 80's. It was originally known as emotional hardcore. Early emo bands were recognized for their melodic sound and introspective lyrics. Rites of Spring and Embrace are credited with kick-starting the genre.
Second Wave:
Second wave bands like Sunny Day Real Estate and American Football introduced a new sound to the Midwest, creating the subgenre Midwest emo.
Third Wave:
In the early 2000's, websites like Myspace helped the genre evolve into the counter-culture that we still admire today. MTV and the Billboard music charts featured bands like Taking Back Sunday, Jimmy Eat World and Dashboard Confessional. This era also saw the birth of bands like My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy and Panic at the Disco that are often associated with emo, despite rejecting the genre title. Third wave emo is considered the commercial peak of the genre.
Fourth Wave:
Often called the "emo revival", fourth wave emo is a blend of pop punk, Midwest emo and indie. Notable artists in the fourth wave include La Dispute, Modern Baseball, Tiny Moving Parts and Joyce Manor.
Each wave saw the birth of new defining artists and subgenres that are continuing to evolve today.