emo
These are the best emo artists featured on Release Wave.
-csIr2xscEfYN6yuLqUMzpW3vu9PUy0.jpg&w=1080&q=75)
Heart Attack Man
From Cleveland, OH, Heart Attack Man originally started as a solo recording project for singer/guitarist Eric Egan in 2013. Driven by an ingrained appreciation for addictive melodies and hard hitting alternative rock, the project quickly evolved into a full band. Shortly after the EP Acid Rain was released, the band gained an overwhelmingly positive response and hit the road to tour throughout the US and Canada. In 2015 the band headed to Philadelphia to record their debut full length, The Manson Family, at Headroom Studios with Ian Farmer of Modern Baseball for you You Did This/Triple Crown Records. Subsequently, the band has released 2 additional LPs and an EP, and are gearing up to release their 4th LP in April 2025 via Many Hats Distribution.
-0AZOAvzwO5PZBS81HtHtkqNeTRJa02.jpg&w=1080&q=75)
Bedridden
Bedridden is a sludgy shoegaze band based in Brooklyn led by singer/songwriter/guitarist Jack Riley who draw inspiration from the loud and fuzzed out alternative guitar rock of the 90s. Bedridden began in New Orleans when Riley was in college, where he enlisted bassist Sebastian Duzian and drummer Nicholas Pedroza to form a live band. The initial lineup shared their debut EP, Amateur Heartthrob in 2023, which includes fan-favorite songs like “Clara’s Mouth” and “Soft Soap.” Now a Brooklyn-based project, the trio recently added guitarist Wesley Wolffe to the mix and are gearing up for the release of their debut LP via Julia's War Recordings, for fans of Narrow Head, Hum, Smashing Pumpkins

Michigander

Casey

Leaving Time
Formed in Jacksonville, FL in 2020 while members Joel Cedeno, Nick Dilts, Jarod Whalen, and Reed Cothren previously & simultaneously played in bands True Form, Method of Doubt, and more—Leaving Time sonically stands out from the aforementioned. Taking inspiration from the notable '90s alternative-rock and shoegaze sound, Leaving Time adds much of their own to the sound. Subtle nuances like the whirling guitar leads and hardcore-inspired drums give each song a driving punch, taking the singular "shoegaze" descriptor out of the picture. On EP II, the band again connected with Gainesville producer, John Howard to write some of their best songs to date. Pushing the sound heard on their S/T, EP II finds the band coming to form. The band is signed to Sunday Drive Records and is gearing up to release their debut LP in November of 2024.

Fake Eyes
The alternative rock band Fake Eyes, from North Carolina, combines shoegaze, grunge, brit pop, and emo influences in their music. Fans of Trauma Ray, Narrow Head, and Broken Head will enjoy their sound, as the band pulls from similar 90s influences like Hum, Sunny Day Real Estate and The Smashing Pumpkins. They have an EP out on New Morality Zine and plan to release their debut LP on Sunday Drive Records in fall 2024.
-iLjMLeD0qVa4c3XPuKQLHFU7znQk6i.png&w=1080&q=75)
High
Around the tucked-away town of Boonton, NJ in 2021, Christian Castan (vocals/ guitar), Bridget Bakie (bass/vocals), Jack Miller (drums), and Danny Zavala (guitar) formed High, a band that combines elements of shoegaze, grunge, emo and dream pop. Creative nucleus Christian Castan and Bridget Bakie met while playing the DIY and college circuit around New Jersey building Bakie’s reputation as “The Queen of The Quarter Note,” and Castan’s profile as an unforgettable guitarist. After playing in a band together, the two longed for a project that would be their sole creative focus and could tour as far and wide as possible. A few weeks and two practices after their formation, the band began playing shows around the tristate DIY circuit after their proper NYC debut at Saint Vitus. The band is gearing up to release their sophomore EP "Come Back Down" in January of 2025 which will include their debut EP Bomber on the B-side.

Arm's Length
Arm's Length is an emo-rock band from Quinte, Ontario, drawing influence from early 2000s anthemic emo-punk. They have gained recognition in the underground emo scene with their debut EP "Everything Nice" and debut LP "Never Before Seen, Never Again Found", and are now gearing up for their sophomore LP "There's a Whole World Out There" under Pure Noise Records. Fans of Armor For Sleep, Taking Back Sunday, Hot Mulligan, Knuckle Puck, and Real Friends will definitely be interested in this band.
-YFPNWjvgk9rJ4TUAB0jjm0nCQ3837C.jpg&w=1080&q=75)
Momma
Momma is an alternative / indie rock band from Calabasas, California based in Brooklyn, New York. The band formed in 2015 by Etta Friedman (songwriter/guitarist/vocalist) and Allegra Weingarten (songwriter, guitarist, vocalist), who have been friends with each other since meeting at Viewpoint School. The band also consists of Aron Kobayashi Ritch (producer/bassist), and Preston Fulks (drummer). The band is currently signed to Polyvinyl Records. Momma released their first album in 2018 through Danger Collective Records, titled Interloper. On February 24, 2020, Momma announced their second album, Two Of Me, alongside a new song, "Double Dare". On April 6, 2020, Momma shared another song from the album, "Biohazard". The album was recorded during summer break while the members were attending college.The album was described as a concept album "about small-town life in an alternate reality". The band went on to release their third album, Household Name, on July 1, 2022 via Polyvinyl and Lucky Number to critical acclaim with a sound reminiscent of 90s inspired guitar rock with big melodies and hooks, similar to bands like Veruca Salt and The Breeders, while also sharing similarities to newer bands like Soccer Mommy and Wishy.

Michael Cera Palin
Michael Cera Palin are an emotive indie-punk trio with a cathartically catchy sound and an impassioned live show, forged through a near-decade of teeth-cutting in Atlanta's DIY scene. MCP currently features Elliott Brabant, Jon Williams, and Chad Miller and are gearing up to release their long awaited debut LP for Counter Intuitive Records in March 2025.
Sunny Day Real Estate
-3oGp633HkRjnwBZhbse0pwazwXMamv.jpg&w=1080&q=75)
New Age Thief
New Age Thief is a Chicago based two-piece band, channeling the sounds of earlier eras of emo/alternative music through impassioned, drivey, and anthemic songs that draw heavy influence from bands like Jimmy Eat World, Basement, Armor for Sleep and the like. Their anthemic emo punk sound is all at once classic sounding while being updated for modern times. The band is gearing up to release their debut LP on Wax Bodega in October 2025.

Common Sage
Common Sage is an American emo band hailing from Brooklyn, New York, and was established in 2018 on Staten Island. The band, featuring members Julian Rosen, Chris Johns, and Phil DiMarco, has put out two albums and one EP, drawing comparisons to similar artists in the post-hardcore scene like Thursday, Brand New, and The Republic of Wolves.
-YEQupVB7F5IEf03Xptsgwn4qoEPwSX.jpg&w=1080&q=75)
Planes Mistaken For Stars
Planes Mistaken For Stars (also known as Planes or PMFS) is a Punk / Hardcore Punk band formed in Peoria, Illinois in 1997. The group later relocated to Denver, CO. In 2007 the band announced that they would be disbanding following a final comprehensive US tour. Their final show was played on February 16, 2008 at the Marquis Theater in Denver supported by fellow local friends Kingdom of Magic and Mustangs &.Madras. Since 2010 PMFS have been sporadically active again, and in 2016 a new album was announced. Founding member Gared O'Donnell died in November 24, 2021 due to cancer and the band subsequently disbanded. The band will finally release their final recordings with Gared and their first new music since 2016 in the form of a new LP in November of 2024.

ASkySoBlack
ASkySoBlack is a post-hardcore band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their music blends 90s alternative rock with elements of nu-metal, shoegaze, and 00s emo, and their lyrics explore themes of love, loss, and heartbreak.

Bed
Based out of Antelope Valley CA, BED started out as a self titled solo project making indie rock. Over the years, the project has evolved into a 4 piece band. With influences ranging from indie rock to hardcore, The band today together outputs a high energy sound that could be described within the genres and moods of Dreampunk, Alternative, Shoegaze, or just Rock... The bands high energy sound is matched by high energy performances in concert, with emphasis on creating memorable experiences for their audience. Fans of Basement, Title Fight, Narrow Head, Superheaven and 90s influenced guitar fueled alternative rock.
Troubled Minds
Phoenix emo punk band Troubled Minds, founded by songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist Matt Aldawood, commonly writes emotionally charged angst driven songs with memorable hooks. The songs are melodic and guitar driven similar to bands like The Wonder Years, Arm's Length, Hot Mulligan, and the like.

Gleemer
Fort Collins, CO based band Gleemer mixes indie / alt rock with dream pop, shoegaze and a splash of emo. The band is heavily influenced by the melodic guitar rock sounds from the 90s and is centered around Corey Coffman's layered and fuzzy guitar tones and melancholy vocal delivery. The band has released 4 full length LP's and 2 EPs, all of which are consistent while offering something new to their sound. The band is signed to Other People Records and are now gearing up to release their 5th LP in December 2024. Fans of Balance and Composure, Death Cab for Cutie, DIIV, Cloakroom and newer bands like Downward and Glare will enjoy Gleemer.

Tiny Moving Parts
Tiny Moving Parts is an American emo / math rock / pop punk band from Benson, Minnesota. Formed by brothers William and Matthew Chevalier, and their cousin Dylan Mattheisen, the band has released 6 studio albums across labels such as Hopeless Records, Triple Crown Records, Big Scary Monsters etc since their 2008 formation in junior high. The are gearing up to release their 7th LP in November of 2024.

Photocopy
Oklahoma City’s Photocopy play the kind of buzzing feedback-laden alternative rock sound that fit right in with the whole 90s shoegaze /emo / alt-rock genre blending revival. Their debut LP is coming out in October 2024.