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Berwanger Delivers Anthem for the Lonely, "Friday Night" (premiere)
Former member the Anniversary, emo veteran Josh Berwanger dishes up an irresistible power pop single that will have you raising your hands and singing along.
30 May 2019
Music
Surprises Want to "Tell the World" (premiere)
Brooks Paschal, ex-Sullivan member, launches solo career as Surprises and share a new song and video with big, booming choruses, hook-laden verses, "Tell the World".
01 May 2019
Music
Florida Alt-Rockers A Brilliant Lie Threaten to Come Apart at the Seams in "Unwoven" (premiere)
Taken from A Brilliant Lie's forthcoming EP Threads: Weaver, the video for new single "Unwoven" captures the barely contained potency of a band firing on all cylinders.
21 Feb 2019
Music
The Life and Times of Cerberus Shoal
Underground experimental rock sonic adventurers Cerberus Shoal get a much needed re-release of their essential records through Temporary Residence.
26 Nov 2018
Music
New York Punk Band FAITH/VOID Embraces the Spotlight
While not an instant household name except perhaps to its fan base, FAITH/VOID churns out intense yet catchy music that has a broad appeal to people who are even not necessarily fans of punk or emo.
20 Nov 2018
Music
Smoking Popes on Faith, Politics, and Judy Garland
Josh Caterer of Smoking Popes talks with PopMatters about musical and spiritual experiences, and reflections about the legendary Judy Garland, who inspired their new album Into the Agony.
17 Oct 2018
Music
Alkaline Trio Discovers That the "Young Idea" Has Never Left Them on 'Is This Thing Cursed?'
Alkaline Trio diehards will find themselves, by turns, nostalgic for what came before and thrilled by what they hear now on Is This Thing Cursed?
06 Sep 2018
Music
The Get Up Kids Return... Again with 'Kicker'
The Get Up Kids are searching for an elusive position, that nostalgic allure of their previous glory on new EP, Kicker.
18 Jun 2018
Music
The Breaking Pattern - "Shadow of the Moon" (video) (premiere)
The rising Arizona emo group capture the picturesque beauty of their state's natural landscapes as a story of love-struck fantasy unfolds.
20 Dec 2017
Music
Wovenwar: Honor Is Dead
Wovenwar returns with an entertaining if safe sophomore effort. The group hasn't yet found its groove, but it's getting there—one radio-ready growl at a time.
17 Jan 2017
Interviews
The Yin and Yang of the Universe: Conversations With Max Bemis and Chris Conley
Max Bemis and Chris Conley discuss the new Two Tongues record, family matters, and connecting to the rock and roll muse.
08 Nov 2016
Music
Balance and Composure: Light We Made
The Pennsylvania post-hardcore band Balance and Composure have changed a bit. Is it a slick and successful movement toward a fresh sound, or is it an awkward stumble?
09 Oct 2016
Music
At Folsom Prison: Every Dream and Every Crisis Means the Rise
Nervousness and talent make the band’s third album a brilliant departure point from which to venture into unknown territories.
28 Jun 2015
Music
Desaparecidos: Payola
Desaparecidos find giddy joy as they tear the establishment to pieces.
23 Jun 2015
Music
Blake Bliss: Friend, Enemy, Stranger
This album is so distraught and, I hate to say it, silly in its studied seriousness, that it’s what people might kick around as the punchline to a perverse joke.
17 Dec 2014
Music
The Best Emo Albums of 2014
Like emo's first wave, today's revival has taken issue with the category itself. But concerns over labels shouldn't get in the way of appreciating the connections between the subgenre's up-and-comers and legacy acts that reconvened like Y2K never happened.
Ian King
11 Dec 2014
Music
Dads: I'll Be the Tornado
I’ll Be the Tornado is an enrapturing album, and one that you simply must hear with your mind and your heart.
14 Oct 2014
Music
Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate): You Will Eventually Be Forgotten
You Will Eventually Be Forgotten boasts some solid craftsmanship, which is quite endearing, but also has some wretched singing, making the proceeding seem rather average at best.
21 Aug 2014
Music
The Relapse Symphony: Shadows
This is the sound of a band making waves, and, despite its slight faults, it’s largely enjoyable and a soundtrack to your next backyard summer barbeque.
09 Jul 2014
Music
Tigers Jaw: Charmer
Adding new textures and the vocal talents of Brianna Collins, Tigers Jaw does the impossible, and that is evolve without leaving anything behind.
12 Jun 2014
Music
JPNSGRLS - "Smalls" (video) (Premiere)
The kinetic, off-the-wall music video for JPNSGRLS' infectious tune "Smalls" is available for viewing exclusively at PopMatters.
05 Jun 2014
Music
Krill: Steve Hears Pile in Malden and Bursts in to Tears
With this five-song concept EP, Krill proves itself a serious band that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
23 Feb 2014
Music
You Blew It!: Keep Doing What You’re Doing
With maybe the truest emo record yet to come from the recent resurgence of emo and pop-punk, You Blew It! call back to the height of the genre without getting too bogged down by tradition.
09 Feb 2014
Music
Their/They're/There: Analog Weekend
Musical kinship excuses hero worship on this EP.
10 Dec 2013
Music
Touché Amoré: Is Survived By
Far from "bowing their heads and leaving out the back", the Los Angeles-based post-hardcore/screamo outfit Touché Amoré is doubling down on its clean guitar/screamed vocal contrast, and successfully so, at that.
26 Nov 2013
Music
The 1975: The 1975
With emo melodies dressed up in disco guitar grooves and '80s rock reverb, the 1975's self-titled album makes for one of the year's most compelling, if flawed, debuts of the year.
14 Oct 2013
Music
Funeral for a Friend: Conduit
Somewhere tonight this record is the soundtrack for a boy sitting alone in his room staring at a photo he snapped of someone looking the other way. A candle drips upon his desk and he drips of angst. Together they smolder in the orange glow of melancholy -- despite fully functional track-lighting.
11 Mar 2013
Music
Moss Icon: Complete Discography
Complete Discography is a stellar encapsulation of a seminal signpost in the post-rock landscape of today.
13 Aug 2012
Music
Motion City Soundtrack: Go
Motion City Soundtrack ventures away from broken hearts and sad stories, taking a hard look at self-worth and mortality on their new brilliantly crafted release.
11 Jun 2012
Music
I the Mighty: Karma Never Sleeps
Prefab emo music that was already tired sounding in 2005 sounds even more so in 2012.
Jedd Beaudoin
05 Jun 2012
Music
Jason Clackley: To the Few and Far Between
Jason Clackley's leanings as a singer and songwriter are equal part Blake Schwarzenbach, Bob Mould, and Ronnie Spector, and that's probably the only time I'll say that about anyone, ever. His vision is few and far between.
04 Apr 2012
Music
Hit the Lights: Invicta
Invicta starts out great for a pop-punk album, but hits a brick wall about mid-way through the proceedings.
24 Jan 2012
Music
Somehow You Love Me: An Interview With Saves the Day
With the influential emo-rockers closing out a long-in-the-works album trilogy, Saves the Day's Chris Conley speaks openly and candidly to PopMatters about who he was, who he wants to be, and the event that changed everything for him ...
04 Jan 2012
Music
Saves the Day: Daybreak
Daybreak finishes off the Jersey emo rockers ambitious project with 11 songs about “acceptance”.
04 Dec 2011
Music
Taking Back Sunday: Taking Back Sunday
Taking Back Sunday experiences revival through the reunion of their original lineup and creates their best work in years.
18 Jul 2011
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