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 (31–40)
Roses For The DeadFuneral for a Friend
Funeral for a Friend is a band from Wales, UK, primarily known for post-hardcore.
Although they sadly disbanded in 2016, their songs remain well-regarded and they still have a devoted fanbase.
In their early years, their sound was heavily influenced by heavy metal and hardcore, but in their later period they released more melodic and catchy tracks, earning praise for their stylistic variety.
Gloriamineral
Alongside Sunny Day Real Estate and Jimmy Eat World, Mineral is one of the most important presences in the 1990s emocore scene.
Despite a career that saw only two albums released during a brief four-year run in the ’90s, they’re a hugely popular band, and many musicians here in Japan have been influenced by their musical style.
Their sound—melancholic arpeggios, blistering guitars that lay bare unresolved emotions, and a delicate yet lyrical vocal delivery—feels like a definitive pinnacle of ’90s emocore.
The emotion of their miraculous 2014 reunion and Japan tour is an everlasting memory for me, having been there in person.
I’m sure there are many emo fans who feel the same.
As an aside, after Mineral broke up, some members formed The Gloria Record, a band that aimed for a grand, Radiohead-tinged sonic world; they left behind some wonderful works, so be sure to give them a listen as well!
King for a Day ft. Kellin QuinnPierce The Veil
Pierce The Veil, an emotional post-hardcore band from California, USA, formed in 2006 and continues to be highly active today.
They are a fresh, emo-rock band whose progressive and extreme metal elements, raging hardcore power, and punk-speed drive fuse dramatically.
Resonating with the street scene as well, they exude the potential to pioneer a new kind of rock for a new era.
Marigold and PatchworkThe Appleseed Cast
For those who love ’90s emocore, just hearing the name THE APPLESEED CAST is enough to bring a smile.
Formed in 1997 and based in Kansas, USA, they’re a legendary band.
They’re also well known for supporting the early days of the esteemed label Deep Elm, famous for producing many quality emo and indie bands.
In their early years, they delivered the quintessential ’90s emocore blend of wistful melodies and luminous, youthful guitar sounds, but with each release their style grew more refined, earning them long-standing affection as a moral compass of the American indie scene.
In 2019, they released The Fleeting Light of Impermanence, their first album in about six years.
A Flight and a CrashHot Water music
Hot Water Music is a band that delivers a rugged, hard-hitting sound directly descended from Hüsker Dü and Leatherface.
In an emo scene where many bands tend to favor a cleaner sound, their gravelly vocals and aggressive guitars exude a fiery spirit, making their performances especially compelling.
If you want to listen to Western emo, start here! List of overseas emo bands (41–50)
Just Let GoMae
Mae is a band with a pretty pop sound that evokes the ocean.
The guitar melodies and tones feel great and are addictively catchy.
The vocalist’s voice is refreshing, easy on the ears, and very listenable—so much so that when someone asks me for emo band recommendations, I want to say Mae.
I think they’re a perfect entry point to emo for beginners, too.
Little Leaguecap’n jazz
CAP’N JAZZ began their activities in the early 1990s, when emotional rock was on the rise.
Their distinctive sense of urgency—like blotting out teenage anxiety with guitar noise and breakneck speed—earned them support in the American indie scene of the time with a raw, pressing sonic texture.
They laid the groundwork for the later emo movement: a form of punk rock that incorporated lyrical, emotive phrases.
Even after disbanding, the members continued making music in bands such as The Promise Ring and Joan of Arc.