If you want to listen to Western emo music, start here! A list of overseas emo bands
Even when we say “emo,” there are a variety of interpretations.
Sometimes the bands themselves don’t embrace the label, and fans may be divided, but in this article we focused on bands that are widely recognized and loved as emo bands.
When you think of emo, the common image might be introspective lyrics that pour in everyday emotions paired with melodic, dark tunes.
Still, this article highlights a broad range—from bands leaning more alternative to those closer to pop-punk.
From the timeless staples to the hidden gems, we’ve selected many bands, so be sure to give them a listen!
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If you want to listen to Western emo music, start here! A list of overseas emo bands (21–30)
DrugsFalling In Reverse
Formed in Las Vegas, USA, the band Falling In Reverse has been steadily gaining popularity as a post-hardcore act.
The band was formed around Ronnie Radke, the former vocalist of Escape the Fate who was dismissed after misconduct.
Their songs are decidedly emo, and if you like emo bands, you’re sure to get hooked!
One Armed ScissorAt The Drive-In
At the Drive-In is a band from El Paso, a town in the southern United States near the Mexican border.
They gained popularity thanks to the aggressive, pleading vocal style of their frontman and lead singer, Cedric Bixler.
After a long hiatus, they began performing again around 2013.
If you want to listen to Western emo music, start here! A list of overseas emo bands (31–40)
I’ll take you everywherePenfold
If you know this band’s name, you’re probably quite the 90s emocore fan.
They released two records—Amateurs & Professionals in 1999 and Our First Taste Of Escape in 2001—before breaking up, though they miraculously managed a Japan tour in 2012.
Even now, well into the 2020s, the CDs are out of print and are famous as quintessential collector’s items.
Their musical style centers on a quiet–loud dynamism where mournful arpeggios and rough guitar noise intersect, with a notably active bass line and a vocally powerful, rock-tinged delivery that’s simply outstanding.
You can clearly hear the influence of Mineral, yet their own distinct sound still comes through.
Stick SticklyAttack Attack!
A band that gained popularity across the United States with a highly danceable next-generation sound that skillfully fuses post-hardcore, metalcore, and synthesizer-driven dance music.
They also pioneered crabcore moves, two-step, “pikorimo” chiptune-emo elements, and emo hair.
Their music features energetic, catchy rhythms, powerful sound, and standout shouts.
You’re Not AloneSaosin
Hailing from California, USA, Saosin has delivered an emotional, richly layered sound rooted in post-hardcore and screamo since their formation in 2003.
Their early EP “Translating the Name” established a solid presence in the scene, and their 2006 self-titled album “Saosin” stands as one of their signature works.
The record features the fan favorite “Voices” and the powerful ballad “You’re Not Alone,” a track that has long been cherished and was certified Gold in May 2023.
Their delay-driven guitar work and the striking contrast between the vocals of Anthony Green and Cove Reber leave a vivid impression.
From early on, the band also stood out for actively leveraging social media.
Highly recommended for listeners drawn to music that balances intensity with delicacy, and for those who want to immerse themselves in dramatic songs that touch the heartstrings.
The New Nathans DetroitBraid
Hailing from Illinois, USA, Braid are legends of 1990s emocore and post-hardcore.
Formed in 1993, they released three excellent albums over the course of the ’90s but disbanded before the 2000s arrived.
They later reunited, releasing new material and even touring Japan.
Their music isn’t straightforward rock; rooted in punk and hardcore, it’s driven by searing passion, with off-kilter riffs and restrained, unsaccharine melodies that exemplify the distinctive depth of the emocore genre.
After their first breakup, three members formed Hey Mercedes, another fantastic band—be sure to check them out as well!
In CirclesSunny Day Real Estate
When talking about 1990s emocore and post-hardcore, you simply cannot leave out Sunny Day Real Estate.
Their three masterful albums released on Sub Pop—the famed American indie label that launched Nirvana—and their final album, The Rising Tide, released in 2000, make a total of four records that are hugely significant in the histories of emocore and alternative rock.
I highly recommend listening to all of them.
Their sound, while reflecting influences from the grunge and alternative rock of the ’90s and employing dynamics that alternate between quiet and loud, is profoundly introspective, with a smoldering, restrained intensity that lingers in every note rather than erupting outright.
For those who only know emo from the 2000s onward, it might come across as a bit understated—but once you recognize the unique allure of a sound only they could achieve, there’s no going back.
By the way, their bassist Nate Mendel is currently a member of Foo Fighters!