Acceptance is a Seattle-based alternative rock band formed in 1998, known for their cult-classic 2005 debut album Phantoms, two EPs, and a subsequent reunion that led to their 2017 follow-up Colliding By Design and other subsequent releases including the recently released 20th anniversary reimagined version of Phantoms, called Phantoms/Twenty featuring several guest artists from the scene. After disbanding in 2006, the original lineup reformed in 2015 and has been active since, touring and releasing new material.

RIYL: The Starting Line, The Academy Is, The Maine, The Early November, Something Corporate

Algernon Cadwallader was an American emo band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania active from 2005 to 2012. In 2022, the band regrouped and began touring again. In 2025, the announced a brand new LP set for release in September 2025. Known for their distinctive twinkly emo sound with off kilter vocals, fans of bands like American Football and Cap'n Jazz may enjoy their music.

House & Home is an alternative rock band from Richmond, Virginia, formed in 2017, consisting of Pat Williams (vocals, guitar), Joey Grammer (guitar, vocals), Cole Bennett (bass), and Matt Stumpf (drums) and signed to Open Your Ears Records. The band is known for high-energy hooks, big melodies, poignant lyrics, and a powerful sound with intricate vocal work reminiscent of bands like Citizen, Balance & Composure, Sunday Morning and the like. They have released multiple albums and EPs, including their debut full-length Find Sense. Feel Love. Make Light (2020) and an upcoming sophomore LP titled "I Won't Look For You" coming November 2025.

Tired Radio is a Brooklyn, NY-based melodic punk band known for their raspy emo-punk anthems. Initially a solo project by singer/songwriter Anthony Truzzolino, it evolved into a full band with the addition of drummer Kevin Daly, bassist Jason St. Angelo, and guitarist Chris Schmidt. They are known for their energetic, anthemic songs that blend gritty punk rock, big melodies, and hooks you can hang your heart on.

RIYL: Beach Slang, The Lawrence Arms, Samiam, Jawbreaker, Hot Water Music, Leatherface, Goo Goo Dolls

Garage Sale is an Australian indie rock band based in Melbourne. The band blends elements of fuzzy indie rock, dream pop, slowcore, alt-rock and shoegaze.

Spoils System is a New York-based band formed in 2021 by Dan Coutant (vocals, guitar, keys), Sean Hansen (guitar, background vocals), David Fateman (bass), and Mark Frankel (drums). They are known for their melodic and often discordant indie rock, drawing on influences from their past work in the emo band Joshua (Doghouse Records). The band is gearing up to release their sophomore LP on Sweet Cheatah Records in summer 2025.

Nihilistic Easyrider is the brainchild of Narrow Head frontman Jacob Duarte. His debut LP "DELUXE EDITION" is a mixtape of sorts, a collection of songs written at various intervals throughout Duarte’s career. These songs traverse a wide-range of stylistic references, from saccharine Y2K emo and young-dumb-and-full-of pop punk to Soviet fuzz fueled alt and pure Evan Dando-core verse-chorus-verse-chorus-done pop rock. Brought to life by a cast of characters including Narrow Head drummer Carson Wilcox, producer (and former tour-mate) Graham Hunt and features from Momma’s Allegra Weingarten and Ella Friedman, this debut album still provides with masterfully crafted and hook-drenched renditions of Duarte’s signature songwriting aesthetics.

With a foundation of San Diego’s punk influences from Drive Like Jehu, Blink-182, Heroin and others, a band like Glean naturally have a sense of melody. Formed in 2019 by four kids (now young adults), the band blends that melodic instinct with their love of punk and hardcore, crafting energetic, emotional, and catchy songs in the vein of Seaweed, Samiam, Jawbreaker, Lifetime, and Title Fight.

Banquets is a punk rock band from Jersey City, New Jersey. It was formed by members of local bands including Static Radio NJ and Let Me Run. Known for a melodic, anthemic rock-influenced sound combining elements of indie-punk / emo/ and post-punk, similar to bands like The Menzingers, The Gaslight Anthem, Loved Ones, Saves The Day and The Get Up Kids. The band was active from the early 2010s until breaking up in 2016, however the band reformed in 2021 and will release a new LP in fall 2025.

Formed in 2022, Brooklyn Comic, alternative emo band from Sydney, Australia, are known for their raw and emotional lyrics, and powerful music. With a mission to raise awareness about mental health, the band resonates with listeners who are navigating their own struggles and seeking connection. Through their honest songwriting and powerful live performances, Brooklyn Comic has quickly become a voice for those who feel unseen or unheard. The band’s music blends emo, hardcore, indie and alternative rock, tackling themes such as loss, self-doubt, heartache and personal growth. As proud allies of the LGBTQIA+ community, Brooklyn Comic is also committed to fostering inclusivity and acceptance, both in the music industry and in the wider world.

RIYL: Movements, Citizen, Basement

Sainthood Reps are an emo/indie/post-hardcore band from New York. They have been known for their unique blend of grunge, post-hardcore, shoegaze, and emo since the late 2000’s. After releasing Monoculture in 2011 on Tooth and Nail Records, Headswell in 2013 on No Sleep Records, and a couple of singles here and there, the band spent several years pursuing other projects before eventually regrouping during COVID. Since 2022, the band has been in and out of the studio compiling new music that marks a definitive step forward without straying too far from their signature sound. The band are now signed to Smartpunk Records and will release their 3rd LP titled "Dull Bliss" in September 2025.Sainthood Reps consists of Derrick Sherman, Cesco Montesanto, Bradley Cordaro, and Jani Zubkovs, with Chris Smith featuring in live performances.

RIYL: Balance and Composure, Common Sage, Stay Inside, Superheaven

Forged in Vancouver’s late-’90s post-hardcore crucible, By A Thread first left their mark with Last of the Daydreams, a Revelation Records cult classic that paired soaring melody with raw emotional weight. After lineup twists and quiet years, core songwriters Sean Lande and John Franco joined forces with drummer Gabe Mantle (Gob) to shape Mirrored Life, a brooding, reverb-drenched record that channels grief, growth, and hard-won perspective into their heaviest, most expansive music yet. Bassist Carl McBeath now anchors the low end, completing a lineup ready to carry these songs forward. It’s not a comeback so much as a reaffirmation, proof that By A Thread’s knack for cathartic, atmospheric anthems remains more vital and uncompromising as ever.

Hailing from New Haven, Ct Sunday Morning is an alternative rock / post-hardcore band consisting of Westly Benjunas, Erik Stanzel, Dom Barone, Jason Moriarty, and Mike Verrastro. The band began in 2018, opening for artists such as Microwave, Boston Manor, Can’t Swim, and The Plot in You. Sunday Morning’s refined hardcore infused alternative sound is what sets them apart from their peers, making them one of the most exciting up and coming bands in the scene right now. At their core, Sunday Morning is about connection – writing songs that will resonate with their listeners, playing shows to connect with new fans, and at the end of the day, they’re living the dream, playing music they love as best friends. The band is currently signed to Open Your Ears Records who released their last EP in June 2024, and have just announced their debut LP releasing in October 2025.

Armor for Sleep is an American emo rock band from New Jersey founded by Ben Jorgensen in 2001. Nash Breen and Peter James "PJ" DeCicco later joined the band after leaving fellow New Jersey band Prevent Falls. Jorgensen stated the name of the band comes from his early experiences of writing music and not being able to sleep. As he recalls, "I guess when I started the band I was kind of, like, retreating in my room and I kind of couldn't really fall asleep, so I started playing music. I just thought of the name Armor for Sleep, because it was really, the music was keeping me from passing out! Which was something I was procrastinating on." Armor For Sleep originally signed to Equal Vision Records, where they released their first two albums, Dream to Make Believe in 2003 and What to Do When You Are Dead in 2005. The band signed to Warner Brothers/Sire Records in 2006, explaining it was "time for a change", and released their third full-length album Smile for Them on October 30, 2007. On August 20, 2008, the band announced an extended play (EP), entitled The Way Out Is Broken before ultimately disbanding. After a 15 year hiatus, the band returned with a new full length for Equal Vision Records called The Rain Musuem and are now gearing up for their 5th full length LP titled "There Is No Memory" set for release in November 2025. Their sound has that classic early 2000s emo/post hardcore sound, appealing to fans of bands like Thursday, Senses Fail, Hidden in Plain View, The Early November and the like.

Ben Quad is a four-piece "post-emo" band from Oklahoma City, formed in 2018, consisting of Sam Wegrzynski (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Edgar Viveros (lead guitar), Henry Shields (backing vocals/bass), and Isaac Young (drums). They are known for their unique blend of midwest emo, punk, and screamo sounds, seen in releases like their debut album I'm Scared That's All There Is (2022) and the heavier EP Ephemera (2024). The band is now signed to Pure Noise Records and will release their sophomore LP in November of 2025. The band is named after the failed podracer Ben Quadinaros from Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.

RIYL: Hot Mulligan, Charmer, Arm's Length, Free Throw

Eastern Bleeds is an indie rock band that channels the sound of bands like Sunny Day Real Estate, Twilight Singers and Hot Snakes. The band was formed by drummer Bob Penn after his previous bands The Jealous Sound and Racquet Club went on hiatus. Penn enlisted the help of a few friends -- guitarist Joe Rivera (Coco B’s, Black Swan Runners), singer Bill Kielty (O Zorn!, Who Rides the Tiger) and bassist Trent Steinbrugge (The Kite Eating Tree) -- to bring the project to life.

TAPE TRASH is a Norwegian duo comprised of Anders Magnor Killerud and Kristofer Mathias Staxrud. Drawing inspiration from the music that first sparked their passion for playing instruments during their teenage years, they craft a sound that blends elements of shoegaze, alternative rock, emo, and punk. Their music has been described as "in your face shoegaze/emopunk/indierock", known for its raw, anthemic quality and a "more-is-more mentality" existing in the space between ecstasy and panic. Killerud handles lead vocals, guitar, and keys, while Staxrud plays guitar, bass, and drums. They previously worked together in the band Ludvig Moon.

RIYL: Mew, Bloc Party, Jimmy Eat World, Broken Social Scene, Japandroids

Saturdays At Your Place is an emo band from Kalamazoo, MI. Their intimate lyrics pair with heavy hitting instrumental hooks and cleverly placed twinkly guitar parts to create a uniquely personal sound that has come to define the band.