Emo pop

Fusion music genre combining together emo and pop punk

Emo pop

Other names| Emo pop-punk
Stylistic origins|

* Emo
* pop-punk
* pop

Cultural origins| Mid-to-late 1990s, United States
Typical instruments|

* Vocals
* electric guitar
* bass guitar
* drum kit

Regional scenes
Midwestern United States  · Florida

Emo pop (alternatively typeset with a hyphen, also known as emo pop-punk and pop-emo) is a fusion genre combining emo with pop-punk, pop music, or both.[1] Emo pop features a musical style with more concise composition and hook-filled choruses. Emo pop has its origins in the 1990s with bands like Jimmy Eat World, the Get Up Kids, Weezer and the Promise Ring. The genre entered the mainstream in the early 2000s with Jimmy Eat World's breakthrough album Bleed American, which included its song "The Middle". Other emo pop bands that achieved mainstream success throughout the decade included Fall Out Boy, the All-American Rejects, My Chemical Romance, Panic! at the Disco and Paramore. The popularity of emo pop declined in the 2010s, with some prominent artists in the genre either disbanding or abandoning the emo pop style.

## Characteristics

[edit]

Emo pop is a fusion between emo and pop-punk characterized by "bright, emotional, and heavily singable" melodic composition.[2][3] AllMusic describes emo pop as blending "youthful angst" with "slick production" and mainstream appeal, using "high-pitched melodies, rhythmic guitars, and confessional lyrics concerning adolescence, relationships, and heartbreak."[4] MasterClass describes emo pop as featuring "soaring vocals and upbeat songs with melancholy lyrics."[5] During the 2000s, emo pop artists would fuse the "lyrical and visual elements of emo with radio-friendly sonics of pop-punk."[6] Quinn Villarreal of Sirius XM said: "If you were born between 1990 and 2000, this is the emo you know and heard feverishly across U.S. pop stations."[7] Emo pop music is notably more commercially viable than other styles of emo due to its minimal influences from indie rock and hardcore punk,[8] and less extreme use of loud/soft dynamics.[9] This has resulted in a sound comparable to boy band pop.[1]

## History

[edit]

### Origins (1990s)

[edit]

Emo pop was influenced by emo and pop-punk bands in the early 1990s such as Californian bands Samiam and Jawbreaker.[10] Jawbreaker has influenced future mainstream emo pop bands like Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance.[11][12] Pop-punk band Blink-182 has been a very big influence on emo pop bands.[13] The new generation of emo fans view the Blink-182 sound as "hugely influential,"[14] with James Montgomery writing, "[...] without them, there'd be no Fall Out Boy, no Paramore, or no Fueled by Ramen Records."[13]

Emo pop band The Get Up Kids performing at the Bowery Ballroom in 2000

Emo pop truly began during the mid-to-late 1990s with bands like Jimmy Eat World,[4] The Get Up Kids,[15][better source needed] Weezer[16] and The Promise Ring.[17][better source needed] Weezer's Pinkerton (1996) is viewed by Spin as "a groundbreaking record for all the emo-pop that would follow"[16] and went number 19 on the US Billboard 200 chart upon release. Jimmy Eat World pioneered an early emo pop sound in their album Clarity (1999).[18] Both albums were very influential on later emo and emo pop bands.[19][20] According to Nicole Keiper of CMJ, Sense Field's Building (1996) pushed the band "into the emo-pop camp with the likes of the Get Up Kids and Jejune".[21] Emo pop began to have independent success in the late 1990s. The Get Up Kids had sold over 15,000 copies of their debut album Four Minute Mile (1997) before signing to Vagrant Records, who promoted the band strongly and put them on tours opening for popular rock acts such as Green Day and Weezer.[22] Their album Something to Write Home About (1999) was a major success, reaching No. 31 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart.[23]

### Mainstream popularity (2000s)

[edit]

AllMusic credits the birth of the mainstream success of emo pop to the 2001 release by Jimmy Eat World, Bleed American, and the success of the album's second single "The Middle." Weezer's second self-titled album received major commercial success in 2001 reaching number 4 on the US Billboard 200 chart.[4] The same year, post-hardcore band Thursday released their sophomore album Full Collapse and reached 178 on the Billboard 200 charts. The album featured screaming and overall aggression, separating them from other emo pop bands.[24] The All-American Rejects received mainstream success with their 2002 self-titled debut album. The album sold over a million copies in the US alone. It contained their hit song "Swing, Swing". Dashboard Confessional became a major act in the emo pop scene with their debut album The Swiss Army Romance (2000). The band would later receive commercial success with their albums A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar (2003) and Dusk and Summer (2006).[25] Both albums were released under Vagrant Records which also released music by emo pop bands Saves The Day, the Get Up Kids, the Anniversary, Hey Mercedes, Hot Rod Circuit and Alkaline Trio. In 2004, Avril Lavigne released her second album Under My Skin, which is considered one of the works that anticipated the emotional intensity and theatrical aesthetics of the emo pop in the mainstream.[26][27] As the genre coalesced, the record label Fueled by Ramen became a center of the movement, releasing platinum selling albums from bands like Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco and Paramore. Two main regional scenes developed in Florida, pioneered by label Fueled by Ramen, and in the Midwest, promoted by Pete Wentz of the Illinois band Fall Out Boy,[4] which rose to the front of the style in the mid-2000s after the single "Sugar, We're Goin Down" received heavy airplay, climbing to number eight on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.[28] Plain White T's was another Illinois emo pop band that received major mainstream success. Their album Every Second Counts (2006) reached number 10 on the Billboard 200 and featured their number one single "Hey There Delilah".[29] New Jersey band My Chemical Romance was the most prominent emo pop act during the 2000s. MCR's albums Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (2004) and The Black Parade (2006) both sold more than 3 million copies in the US alone. The latter of the albums debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200. The album's lead single "Welcome to the Black Parade" topped the US Alternative Songs chart and reached number 9 on the Billboard hot 100.[30] Taking Back Sunday's third album Louder Now (2006) debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200.[31] Hawthorne Heights's sophomore album If Only You Were Lonely (2006) reached number 3 on the Billboard 200, achieving mainstream success outside of the hardcore punk scene unlike some of their contemporaries.[32] We the Kings released their debut self-titled studio album, which had an emo pop sound.[33] The album’s lead "Check Yes Juliet" went certified Platinum in the United States. The emo pop band Metro Station fused emo aesthetics with pop music and electronic music on their 2007 self-titled album. The band's single "Shake It" reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.[1][34] Also in 2008, You Me at Six released their debut album Take Off Your Colours, which had been described by AllMusic's Jon O'Brien as "follow[ing] the "emo-pop for dummies"' handbook word-for-word."[35] The album would later be certified gold in the UK.[36] In 2009 All Time Low released their third studio album Nothing Personal which debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200. AllMusic states that the album "helped make All Time Low one of the top emo-pop acts in the business".[37]

### Decline in popularity (2010s)

[edit]

Since the early 2010s, emo pop has seen a decrease in mainstream success. While a few 2000s emo pop bands remain popular, some of them have ventured on to different sounds and aesthetics outside of the genre. Emo pop bands Thursday, The Academy Is...,[38] Good Charlotte,[39] Hey Monday,[40] Forever the Sickest Kids[41] and My Chemical Romance[42] disbanded or went on hiatus in the early 2010s. Panic! at the Disco's 2013 album Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! abandoned their emo pop sound, which was heard primarily on their debut album A Fever You Can't Sweat Out. The former album contained characteristics and influences from hip hop music,[43] new wave music,[44] electropop[44] and synthpop.[45] Fall Out Boy went on hiatus from 2009 to 2013 but returned with a new sound on their album Save Rock and Roll. The album has characteristics of pop music,[46] alternative rock,[47] and pop rock.[47][48] Paramore ventured away from their emo pop sound with their self-titled album (2013) which contains influences of power pop,[49] pop rock[50] and new wave.[51] Despite the genre’s decrease in popularity, a number of emo pop bands garnered underground popularity in the 2010s, including Sorority Noise,[52] Real Friends,[53] Boston Manor[54] and Moose Blood.[55][56]

## See also

[edit]

* List of emo pop bands
* List of emo pop albums

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Lester, Paul (December 8, 2008). "New band of the day – No 445: Metro Station". the Guardian. Archived from the original on September 26, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
2. ^ Patrick, Kate (June 24, 2015). "When did rock stop evolving? It hasn't: meet punk rock's children". Rocknuts. Archived from the original on November 16, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
3. ^ Villarreal, Quinn. "Emo Through the Years: Explore the Ever-Evolving Genre". SiriusXM. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
4. ^ a b c d "Explore: Emo-Pop". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on September 3, 2011. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
5. ^ "Emo Music Guide: A Look at the Bands and Sounds of the Genre - 2021 - MasterClass". Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
6. ^ "Misery Business: How Gen-Z Rappers Are Reinventing the Emo & Pop Punk Influences of Their Childhood". Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
7. ^ Villarreal, Quinn. "Emo Through the Years: Explore the Ever-Evolving Genre". SiriusXM. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
8. ^ "From Sunny Day to Brand New: A Brief History of Emo Bands Making Art Rock". BrooklynVegan. September 7, 2017. Archived from the original on September 29, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
9. ^ Grehan, Keith (January 25, 2011). "An Emotional Farewell?". Trinity News. WordPress. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
10. ^ "Emotional Rescue". September 26, 2000. Archived from the original on December 8, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
11. ^ Greenwald, p. 26.
12. ^ Kelley, p. 82.
13. ^ a b James Montgomery (February 9, 2009). "How Did Blink-182 Become So Influential?". MTV News. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2009.
14. ^ Frehsée, Nicole (March 5, 2009). "Pop-Punk Kings Blink-182: Reunited and Ready to Party Like It's 1999" (PDF). Rolling Stone (1073). New York City: Wenner Media LLC: 20. ISSN 0035-791X. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 13, 2013. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
15. ^ "The Get Up Kids Prep Vinyl Reissues of 'Eudora' and 'On a Wire'". www.exclaim.ca. Archived from the original on January 26, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
16. ^ a b SPIN Mobile (February 23, 2011). "Weezer Reveal 'Pinkerton' Reissue Details". Spin Magazine. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
17. ^ "Promise Ring swears by bouncy, power pop". Michigan Daily. April 12, 2001. Archived from the original on January 20, 2015. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
18. ^ "Jimmy Eat World – Clarity – Review". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on May 3, 2010.
19. ^ Merwin, Charles (August 9, 2007). "Jimmy Eat World > Clarity > Capitol". Stylus. Archived from the original on May 3, 2010. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
20. ^ Braun, Laura Marie (September 23, 2016). "How Weezer's 'Pinkerton' Went From Embarrassing to Essential". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 15, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
21. ^ Kieper, Nicole (October 2001). "Sense Field: Tonight and Forever – Nettwerk America". CMJ New Music Monthly. CMJ Network. Archived from the original on August 19, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
22. ^ Greenwald, pp. 77–78.
23. ^ "Heatseekers: Something to Write Home About". Billboard charts. Archived from the original on June 10, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
24. ^ "Full Collapse – Thursday – Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 13, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
25. ^ Linder, Brian (October 15, 2009). "Battle of the Bands: All-American Rejects vs. Dashboard Confessional". Archived from the original on February 26, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
26. ^ Bradley, Jonathan (2018). "'It's Not Like We're Dead': The Fascinating Evolution & Non-Linear Maturation of Avril Lavigne, Motherf—king Princess". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 3, 2019. Retrieved December 1, 2019. "While emo crossover acts such as Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance would remain an underground concern for at least another six months, Under My Skin anticipated that scene's emotional intensity and theatrical aesthetics in the mainstream."
27. ^ Phillips, Marian (May 14, 2020). "20 ESSENTIAL 2004 ALBUMS THAT PROVED THE SCENE WAS HERE TO STAY". Altpress. Archived from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020. "In her second album, Under My Skin, Avril Lavigne showed an all new side to her music. Much more complex than her first album, it featured darker concepts of feeling lost and alone, such as "Nobody's Home." With deeper emotional lyrics and a punk-rock sound, Lavigne moved beyond her teenage pop-punk persona and matured into a fully fledged alternative music icon."
28. ^ Loftus, Johnny. "Fall Out Boy". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on May 27, 2011. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
29. ^ "Plain White T's 'Hey There Delilah' is Being Turned into a TV Show". Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
30. ^ Mccall, Tris (March 31, 2013). "A Romance to remember: MCR calls it quits after a remarkable 12 years". nj.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
31. ^ Sherman, Maria. "Taking Back Sunday's 'MakeDamnSure' Was Emo-Pop's Weirdest Release". Fuse. Archived from the original on February 25, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
32. ^ "Hawthorne Heights brought emo pop punk into the mainstream". Archived from the original on February 26, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
33. ^ "Smile Kid AllMusic Review". AllMusic. Archived from the original on February 24, 2019. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
34. ^ "Breaking Artist: Metro Station". Rolling Stone. July 29, 2008. Archived from the original on November 6, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
35. ^ O'Brien, Jon. "Take Off Your Colours – You Me at Six | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
36. ^ "Certified Awards". Archived from the original on June 25, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
37. ^ "Nothing Personal – All Time Low | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on February 24, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
38. ^ "The Academy Is... to reunite for Riot Fest Chicago performance". Archived from the original on February 24, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
39. ^ Brown, Eric Renner (November 5, 2015). "Good Charlotte share snippet of new music, hint at return". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
40. ^ Leahey, Andrew. "Hey Monday Bio". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 23, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
41. ^ "Forever the Sickest Kids – Forever the Sickest Kids – Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on February 24, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
42. ^ McCall, Tris (March 23, 2013). "My Chemical Romance disbands". Nj. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
43. ^ James Montgomery (July 22, 2013). "Exclusive: Panic! At The Disco Say Too Rare Is Inspired By ... A$AP Rocky?". MTV News. Archived from the original on August 22, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
44. ^ a b Jason Pettigrew (October 3, 2013). "Panic! At The Disco – Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die!". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
45. ^ Matt Collar. "Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
46. ^ Punknews.org (June 4, 2013). "Fall Out Boy – Save Rock and Roll". www.punknews.org. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
47. ^ a b Stephen Thomas Erlewine (April 16, 2013). "Save Rock and Roll: Review". Allmusic. Archived from the original on February 18, 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
48. ^ Garland, Emma (August 20, 2009). "ATP! Album Review: Fall Out Boy – Save Rock And Roll". Alter The Press!. Archived from the original on May 13, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
49. ^ "Paramore's glossy a bid for superstardom: album review | Toronto Star". Thestar.com. April 8, 2013. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
50. ^ "Music Review: Paramore by... Paramore | HomeTechTell". Technologytell.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
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53. ^ "Real Friends – Biography, Albums, Streaming Links – AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
54. ^ "Boston Manor combines emo and pop-punk sound in new release, Be Nothing". Wolfpackradio.org. Archived from the original on February 3, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
55. ^ Forrester, Thomas (March 16, 2018). "Moose Blood 'I Don't Think I Can Do This Anymore'". Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
56. ^ "Moose Blood makes emo great again with new album "Blush"". August 15, 2016. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.

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