Small Talk., an emo band hailing from San Diego, has been a prominent fixture in the underground music scene for over a decade. With the release of their upcoming 10 song LP album 'whats gone never left' on April 10, 2026, Small Talk. showcases their signature blend of emotionally charged, melodic, tappy emo/grunge sound. Drawing inspiration from their 13-year journey since formation, their music delves deep into themes of loss, growth, and the complexities of life, reminiscent of bands like The Hotelier, Balance & Composure, The Promise Ring, Mom Jeans., Worst Party Ever, Movements and Algernon Cadwallader.

Tigers Jaw is an American indie rock band formed in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 2005 by Ben Walsh and Adam McIlwee. Known for their catchy, emotional, and relatable music, the band has evolved significantly, with Walsh and Brianna Collins becoming the primary members after McIlwee's departure in 2013. They are recognized for their DIY ethos and contributions to the "emo revival" scene, releasing several influential albums and EPs throughout their career. The band is currently signed to Hopeless Records and will release their Will Yip produced 7th LP in March of 2026.

RIYL: Jimmy Eat World, Weezer, The Get Up Kids, Macseal, The Hotelier, Modern Baseball, Charmer, Oso Oso, Pet Symmetry

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.

Free Throw is an American emopunk band hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, and is part of the emo punk revival scene. Their sound is influenced by bands like Snowing, Algernon Cadwallader, Fall Out Boy, and My Chemical Romance. They have released four full-length albums and three EPs, and will be releasing their upcoming 5th LP through Wax Bodega.

Good Sleepy is an emo band from Worcester, Massachusetts, formed as a DIY project in 2018 with a demo titled "Rest Easy" and eventually signed with No Sleep Records. The band's music, which draws from various eras of emo, has been described as an outlet for their collective experiences and emotions. Their first full-length album, "everysinglelittlebit," was released in 2021, and described as a blend of mathy '90s Midwest emo, anthemic early 2000s emo, and modern revival styles. They released an EP in 2022 and a single in 2024, and just announced they will self-release their sophomore LP "Constant Humming" in February 2026 revealing lead off single "Trap."

RIYL: Carly Cosgrove, Ben Quad, Marietta, Hot Mulligan, Arm's Length, The Wonder Years

Palette Knife are an emo/indie/pop punk band from Columbus, Ohio who already have two LPs under their belt and write anthemic shout along songs with big guitar riffs and hooks. The band formed in 2018 and released their debut LP for Take This To Heart Records in 2021, featuring melodic emopunk anthems with math like guitar parts similar to bands like Charmer, Hot Mulligan, Into it Over It, Tiny Moving Parts, Origami Angel, Ben Quad and the like. They released their sophomore LP in January 2023 which was well received, and are now gearing up to release their 3rd album Keyframe in April of 2026.

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