2024 has been a wild ride for screamo, and the Milwaukee-based band Snag is here to guide you through it with a fresh perspective.
Known for their well-balanced blend of DIY ethos and emotionally charged post-hardcore, Snag has curated a special year-end list of standout releases across many different moods and vibes from the emo punk and hardcore spectrum. But not only. It will truly fuel your senses and aesthetic needs on many levels.
Not only are they sharing their favorite picks, but they’ve also taken the time to dive into the details of their own re-released self-titled album, which is already 5 years old!
Their acclaimed 2019 album, which wrestles with themes of despair and resilience, has been reborn on a new master with upgraded sound quality and pressed on limited lavender vinyl.
“The original lacquers got destroyed, so this version is on a new master, and it’s at 45 RPM instead of 33 RPM. It’s also pressed on pretty lavender colored vinyl rather than black. The inserts on the original included a book of matches and an envelope full of seeds for native pollinator habitat for our region. This time around, we’re only including the lyric booklet. Just like the first edition, there’s only 200 units.” – says the band.
Now, let’s discover Snag’s Year in Review on Spotify and check out the full rundown, with commentary, below:
Ladybird – Amy Come On Home
This album, written by our brother band Ladybird, is full of excellently written alt-country songs. A lot of the subject matter deals with love and loss, but a couple of lighthearted tracks and barn burners add variety. The high end sounding production and pedal steel all over the record give it a depth and warmth that I love, and I can’t help but get chills when I hear Kemp Lane.
Blax – Blaxploitation
I met Blax, aka Adebisi Agoro, at a cooperatively run bar and venue we both used to work at. Blax’s new record is his most cohesive to date. The song “Teenager,” about the loss of his son, is incredibly moving.
Okay Omen – Echoes of Loss
Our friends in Okay Omen took a massive leap forward between their full length last year and this new EP. There’s an early Taking Back Sunday quality to a lot of the vocal melodies that they pull off ten times better than all the imitators that tried to do that in the mid-00s. I love this band and this EP is why.
Riotnine – Of Americana
Riotnine broke up upon release of this song. Their final show was one of those moments many may share in local diy punk communities where you see a band hang it up way way way too soon. Their last show is something that will live in countless peoples hearts for a long time. This is the best skramz song I’ve heard in years. Long live Riotnine.
Caley Conway – Partner
I consider it a huge privilege to be able to play shows with Caley Conway. She and her circle of limitlessly talented friends make Milwaukee’s music scene an incredibly special one. She has a gift for writing unique melodies and arrangements that nod as much to late 80s post punk but somehow resonate closer to something akin to comforting lullabies. She and her band are an absolute treasure. (Shout out Ellie Jackson and Old Pup!)
Garden Home – Garden Home
Our besties in Garden Home put out their most ambitious release to date: a consistently banging LP. Start to finish, this one is all killer, no filler.
Nesting – Luckless
We met the guys in Nesting on tour in Baltimore and were blown away. Reminds me of bands like Native and Alta. They absolutely nail that [number] wave emo sound so well. Highly recommend.
Sonagi – everything is longing
I think Sonagi just broke up and it is a real bummer. This band was so good and I think they would have been headed toward screamo domination. This album is vicious and so incredibly heavy. It knows how to make you angry and break your heart at the same time.
Flight mode – the three times
This band from Oslo just does it for me. There’s something about the vocal melodic sensibility that reminds me of Big Thief in a way, but with faster really fun and good emo songs.
Kerosene Heights / Swiss Army Wife Split-Sisters
These bands have been hitting the road so hard. They have continued to write incredibly nostalgic, heartbreaking, and fun eps and albums and I just can’t wait to watch them blow the hell up and go down in history as one of the goats.
Kid,Feral – Headlights EP
This record is absolutely bonkers. This is what screamo and skramz should and deserves to sound like. It’s pummeling and direct and chock full of riffs. This record sounds like what the inside of my brain sounds like. Truest top tier.
Honorable mentions:
- Máu – Anthesis
- Senza – Celestial body
- Frail Body – Artifical Bouquet
- Heavenly Blue – We have the Answer
- Infant Island – obsidian wreath
- Sunrot/Body Void – split
- Massa Nera/Quiet Fear – quatro vientos cinco soles
- Missouri Executive Order 44-salt sermon
- Mizzy – Gift
- Brief Candles – unfinished nature
Want more?
Check out our lengthy Post Hardcore playlist on Spotify:
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