The 25 best emo records of all time

We kick off this list with the innovatively creative Parannoul, the pseudonymous South Korean musician who earned a cult following with the release of his second studio record under this particular moniker. Though there is a definite emo tendency to the record, To See the Next Part of the Dream has also been described as lo-fi and shoegaze, the latter being an alternative subgenre that's long encompassed Parannoul's previous work. It's a dreamy album, but also has its darker moments that touch on the artist's own moments of self-reflection.

The only studio album released by this post-hardcore outfit that featured Shelter guitarist Norman Brannon and drummer Chris Daly of 108, A dark record that came on the heels of the band's celebrated self-titled EP in 1995, Do You Know Who You Are? offers a Hüsker Dü-meets-Misfits vibe. Themes of the record include conspiracy theories, specifically revolving around the assassination of President John F. Kennedy ("The Magic Bullet Theory"). With its churning guitars and melodic distortion, the album is considered to be one of the most influential of the emo persuasion.  

There are those emo listeners who still aren't ready to include Jimmy Eat World in the movement. But the band's stylings more than border on what the genre is all about, notably lyrics of self-reflection and honesty. Jimmy Eat World's third album, Clarity, is a good starting point when it comes to the group refining its mainstream emo tendencies. The record is paced by the track "Lucky Denver Mint," which earned a following due to its inclusion in the Drew Barrymore vehicle Never Been Kissed. Of course, for Jimmy Eat World, the best was still yet to come.

The emo genre tends to focus on song signatures — the more complex the better. That might not be more true of any such emo album than Braid's third studio release. While the entirety of Frame & Canvas is an exceptional musical journey, the thundering, Fugazi-influenced "Milwaukee Sky Rocket" is the prize of this particular collection and a great place to start for those looking to dig a little deeper into the roots of the genre.

Emo is not confined to heavy guitars and nasty hooks. Rapper Juice WRLD delivers a highly creative and genuine debut album that offers personal stories and experiences that come with some honest lyrics that are also meant for guidance. At least that was the intent of the late rapper, who found his place in the emo rap subgenre before his untimely death at age 21. Fueled by the popular "Armed and Dangerous," the album reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. For those casual emo fans not familiar with this sector of the genre, there's a need to be educated, and this is the place to start.

Channeling the progressive side of the emo movement, Florida's Pool Kids was essentially unknown, with a sole studio album — released in 2018 — to its credit. Then Paramore's Hayley Williams posted about her fancy for the band, paced by vocalist and versatile musician Christine Goodwyne, and soon its career was jump-started. This self-titled second studio release truly proved the band has staying power thanks to tracks like "That's Physics, Baby" and the sensationally moody "Pathetic." Various critics have claimed the album represents a revival of the emo subgenre.

First off, this Fall Out Boy debut release is undeniably a great piece of pop-punk, but obvious in terms of its emo credibility. However, it was essentially a labor of love for the band to make. Bassist Pete Wentz put his whole self into working the lyrics, along with vocalist Patrick Stump, resulting in an album that critics hailed for its perceptive words and wise-beyond-their-years songs that help ignite the band's stardom. "Dead on Arrival" remains one of the group's most celebrated songs, and "Saturday" is still a live favorite.

Given its big break by aforementioned Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz, Panic! At The Disco struck gold with this stellar debut album. Now, it can be argued that the album is not full-blown emo, but there are more than a few of those obvious moments. Fueled by the band's debut single "The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suıcıde Is Press Coverage" and "I Write Sins Not Tragedies," which cracked the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, the album turned heads and perked ears. Over the years, the record continues to grow in stature.

Pop-punk is not everybody's cup of tea, especially among hardcore proponents of the genre. Yet, regarding the overall scene, Alkaline Trio has achieved a certain amount of punk/alternative credibility, and this commercially sound project from 2003 highlights the band's mainstream emo approach. With its unique, creative, and often satirical macabre lyrics, this fourth studio release from the Chicago trio is a top-to-bottom gem that grabs listeners right out of the gate with opener "This Could Be Love," which leads into "We've Had Enough." Then the record heats even up more via the depressingly aggressive "Continental," "All on Black," and whimsical "Emma." Finally, there's the poignantly uneasy "Blue in the Face" to close things out.

Paramore's second album is undisputedly pop-punk at its mainstream best. However, there is a darker tinge to the record. Though not full-blown emo, there are various tendencies that make it fit well on this list. The infectious "Misery Business," which shows off Hayley Williams' versatile vocal talent, was the band's breakout hit, and remains its signature track. Hey, even NBA superstar Stephen Curry is a big fan. Meanwhile, album opener "For a Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic" might be the most emo song on the project. The harmlessly angsty "crushcrushcrush," is also more than serviceable.

From Long Island, Taking Back Sunday formed in the late 1990s, but didn't put out this exceptional debut record until 2002. The record is undeniably emo, but with enough pop fuel to make it highly accessible for alternative and mainstream indie fans to sink their teeth — or ears — into. Lead single "Great Romances of the 20th Century" is a tasty track about jilted lovers, while "Ghost Man on Third" is a personal tale of singer Adam Lazzara's own mental health struggles.

Founded in Urbana, Ill., within the shadows of the University of Illinois, American Football's self-titled debut release was a hit on college radio and has long been considered one of the best records within the subgenre of Midwest emo. However, it also has plenty of progressive pop-rock tendencies. If there's such a thing as a coming-of-age album, from a lyrical and composition standpoint, this would be a prime example. The opening track "Never Meant" is a quintessential emo tune that captures the overall theme of young-adult discovery on the album.

To be official, the full title of Cap'n Jazz's only full-length studio album is Burritos, Inspiration Point, Fork Balloon Sports, Cards in the Spokes, Automatic Biographies, Kites, Kung Fu, Trophies, Banana Peels We've Slipped On, and Egg Shells We've Tippy Toed Over. Before band member Mike Kinsella co-founded and fronted the aforementioned American Football, he played drums as part of Cap'n Jazz, along with brother Tim, after the two formed the group while teenagers in suburban Chicago. Though the band's tenure was rather short-lived, this record, clocking in at little more than 31 minutes long, has long been influential with budding emo artists, and is certainly one of the most unique offerings in the genre. Over-the-top guitars and a creative lyrical approach (which includes moments of spoken word) highlight the record.

Of At the Drive-In's three released studio albums released during the band's initial run (before breaking up and then putting out a 2017 reunion record), this second effort is considered by professional critics to be among the most quintessential emo records of all time. Though not as raw at the band's debut Acrobatic Tenement (1996) or polished like the post-hardcore masterpiece Relationship of Command (2000), In/Casino/Out delivers the perfect blend of edgier alternative with the obligatory unleashed emotion that has defined the movement.

This was the fourth studio album and major label debut from the East Bay rock outfit. In many ways, Jawbreaker's musical catalog was conceptual in nature, intertwining subject matter from record to record. However, it all came together on Dear You, which encompassed such themes as breakups, mood swings and school — just to name a few. The album was also praised for being more melodic and refined than the controlled noise of Jawbreaker's previous records, though, not all fans supported the change. Songs like "Fireman" and "Chemistry," however, remain emo staples.

From Milwaukee, The Promise Ring is another emo band that proved highly influential within the genre. Notably the second wave of emo, which essentially re-introduced the musical movement to a somewhat new generation of pop-punk/alternative fans during the 1990s. Nothing Feels Good was the band's second studio album and was far more catchy, complete with a bevy of infectious hooks than its lauded debut 30° Everywhere (1996). Standout moments include "Is This Thing On?," "Why Did Ever We Meet" and the title track.

There are those music critics who believe this second studio album from Dashboard Confessional remains the premier emo record of the 2000s. And there's certainly an argument to be made for that thinking. The album also drew attention to Dashboard Confessional frontman/guitarist Chris Carrabba, praising him for both his lyrical and compositional makeup of the record. The first single, "Screaming Infidelities," remains one of the great tracks from not just the band's catalog, but the entire emo movement.

Rites of Spring prides itself as one of the great hardcore punk bands, but many professional music critics and punk historians claim this beloved Washington D.C. outfit to be the first emo band. Mainly because the band's lyrics were more personal and in-depth than any of its hardcore punk contemporaries. Though Rites of Spring didn't want anything to do with the emo label, the band's only studio release has stood the test of time and got the ball rolling on a movement.

When it comes to emo royalty, Austin, Texas' Mineral is sitting at the head table. Its highly acclaimed debut The Power of Failing is considered one of the most monumental emo albums of all time, and the blueprint for the movement. It's been especially noted for its simplicity within a bevy of straight-forward rock that's reinforced by strong and honest lyrics. From beginning to end, The Power of Failing is almost spiritual to the ears, and has had a major influence on such prominent bands like Death Cab for Cutie.

We touched on Fall Out Boy's brilliant debut Take This To Your Grave. This double-platinum followup, however, is what turned the band into mainstream pop-punk stars. Yet, From Under the Cork Tree is even more personal and honest than its predecessor, notably through its chronicling of the aforementioned Pete Wentz's own issues in real life. "Sugar, We're Goin Down" and "Dance, Dance" appeal to the masses, but "A Little Less Sixteen Candles, a Little More 'Touch Me'" and "Sophomore Slump or Comeback of the Year" deserve more love.

We noted that the aforementioned Clarity laid the foundation for Jimmy Eat World's mainstream success. Bleed American took things to next level, and opened the door for the group to become more accessible in the alternative pop music world, while still displaying a more polished definition of the emo vibe. "The Middle" remains one of the great songs of the 2000s, regardless of genre, while the greatness of the album — which reached No. 5 on Billboard's Hot 100 — was reinforced by fellow tunes like "Sweetness" and the Weezer-esque "A Praise Chorus."

From the look, vibe and dark lyrical imagery, My Chemical Romance could very well be considered the poster boys for mainstream emo. Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge is a more mature performance than the group's grittier 2002 debut I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love. The band was hailed for its complex composition and in-depth lyrics. "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" has a certain anthemic tone, while the emotionally-charged, macabre "Helena" was a top-40 hit that took the band to new heights. 

The followup to Weezer's stellar debut (1994's Weezer, a.k.a. the Blue Album)," Pinkerton is nothing like the rollicking, almost free-spirited aura of that first record. It's darker, more personal and has an edgier tone that proved nerdy frontman Rivers Cuomo was filled with angst and disenchantment. While the record never lived up to the commercial and critical success of the first album, Pinkerton has rallied over the years to earn respect. Deep cut "Across the Sea" has long been a favorite with Weezer die-hards. It's one of Cuomo's more emotional tracks, hitting on his frustration with love and feeling isolated while studying at Harvard. Meanwhile, "Pink Triangle" is a criminally underrated alternative rock experience. More in-depth and personal than pop-punk offerings of the time — and completely genuine when it comes to falling in love with a lesbian. 

In the eyes and ears of professional music critics, this smashing Sunny Day Real Estate debut is an important album in terms of bridging emo with post-hardcore. Some critics also cite the record as innovating the Midwest emo subgenre. There's certainly a healthy indie presence on the record, and the melodies are among the best to be found at a time when grunge was still guiding the alternative music scene. "Seven" remains the highlight of the record, but the drowning "In Circles" is up there among the band's best all-time tracks.

Another offering, and the third studio effort from My Chemical Romance, and one which this New Jersey emo sensation hit it out of the park. One of the best albums of 2006, The Black Parade tells the story of a terminal cancer patient taking stock in the life that's left and preparing for what comes after. Highlighted by the magnitude of singer Gerard Way's dramatic voice, the bombastic "Welcome to The Black Parade" should go down as the band's signature song. "Teenagers" is a gripping commentary on mass shootings. Both songs tend to overshadow certified gems like "Cancer" and "Famous Last Words."