Midwest Emo: What Was it All For?

The words “midwest emo” can mean either everything or nothing to you depending on if you had a social life in high school or not. I'm joking... for the most part. While that can be taken as satire, it can also be used as a definitive, all-encompassing statement for this lesser-known, slowly dying sub-genre. It's depressing, niche, and generally emotionally taxing to listen to. If you're not currently getting over a breakup, nearing the end of your high school experience, and are less-than-satisfied, or are just depressed, it may seem unrelatable and juvenilely dramatic. Tropes of the girl that doesn't like you back, living in a small town with big dreams (or no dreams at all), and your parents not understanding you are just a few of the emo undertones that pervade this math-rock-heavy genre. Being primarily male-dominated, midwest emo can feel a bit repetitive, which is my biggest gripe with it. But, when I'm in the mood, the therapeutic complaints-set-to-music of Modern Baseball can really hit the spot. Other midwest emo stars like The Front Bottoms, Salvia Plath, and Teen Suicide are a little kitsch to me; the unvaried themes kind of blend together until they're no longer as unique as they were in 2013. Midwest emo, just like other fleeting music trends (bedroom pop, anyone?), had its moment. Now that that moment has passed, I wanted to take a look at what this genre did for teenage-targeted music if anything at all.

Part One: Birth

It all began in 1989 Illinois, midwest emo was born to its parents: Cap'n Jazz. Their sound in one word? Loud. Bass-boosted guitars, throat-piercing vocals, and lyrics to match, this four-piece is probably the most unrecognizable and simultaneously influential indie band in history. With only 42,000 monthly Spotify listeners, the fathers of modern emo are barely even known by name. But, considering their third most-listened-to song is a rock cover of “Take On Me” by A-Ha, I kind of understand why the hype isn't completely there. 

It would be illegal for me to talk about midwest emo without discussing the most well-known album to come from this genre: American Football's self-titled debut into the music world. They took what Cap'n Jazz created, mellowed it out, added some more emotionally-charged lyrics, and set the indie rock world ablaze. While this album has been meme-d to death by music commentary Instagram accounts, it has stood the test of time in the music community.

After the late ‘90s, pop-punk began to take over the alternative teen crowd that midwest emo had so momentarily captivated. Thanks, My Chemical Romance.

In all honesty, I don't blame the kids for wanting to stop listening to American Football. It's the kind of music that weighs on your soul, that both understand your pain but still makes it a bit worse at the same time. It's heavy stuff, and it's only normal to want a song that helps you forget your problems, not wallow in them.

Thus ends the first wave of midwest emo. That is, until 2013.

Part Two: Revival

Welcome to, as I personally see it, the absolute golden age of midwest emo. Looking back, it's incredible to see how these bands shaped my personality and music taste today. In seventh grade, I showed my best friend a song by Modern Baseball on New Year’s Eve and she told me that I was going down the wrong path in life. I remember being confused, wondering how listening to slightly-edgier music could apparently say so much about a person. But, reading through the lyrics, I can't be surprised that someone was concerned for a twelve-year-old's wellbeing because of them. Nevertheless, I digress.

Mom Jeans, Sorority Noise and Modern Baseball: the holy trinity of the emo revival of the 2010s. "Dirty Ickes" was the first alternative song I ever listened to and I instantly fell in love. This opened the door to Modern Baseball, which has been in my top three favorite bands since I could remember. "Fine, Great", "Your Graduation" and "Two Good Things" were the perfect introduction into the emo rock scene for a prepubescent girl that was craving validation and an outlet for her anger at the world. Full circle moment: Modern Baseball was created at Drexel University, the college I'll be attending in the fall. Cyclicity at its finest.

I'm going to be completely honest here: I don't like The Front Bottoms. Brian Sella's voice is far too pungent, leaning more towards rock rather than the moodiness of midwest emo. I can appreciate the lyricism, but I feel that it's too refined to be the typical "college kid complaining about not getting girls" theme that makes me love this genre so much. Less articulation, more stream of consciousness, please.

Like the initial birth of midwest emo, the golden age did not last long. By 2016, the album “Best Buds” by Mom Jeans wrapped up a solid couple of years. But, this was not the end. Rather, a turning point, a fork in the road.

Part Three: The Future

Midwest emo is not done yet. Interestingly enough, I think it's more important than ever. Teens at the end of their high school career are unsure of what's to come: no prom, no last hurrah with your friends at 3 a.m., no caps in the air by the end of June. It's more than not being able to get the girl this year. We may act as though there are better things for us than highschool -- which I don't doubt -- but that doesn't erase the sting of getting it ripped out of your hands before it even had the chance to start. This genre has been an outlet for the past 30 years, and it still reigns true today. It's about the release of pain, the eyes darting around the room asking, begging, "does anyone else feel like this?".

My call for the next head of midwest emo? Frat Mouse. "Gigachad Jawline" is the perfect I don't want to grow up just yet but I feel like I have to tune. Take the lyrics: "I kept my Xbox, I still like nerf guns, I still put dye in my cookie dough / All I wanna do is make some dumb tunes with my bros." I know, the lyrics are juvenile, simple, and seemingly stupid. But, it's about the delivery. The emotion, the faded guitar, and harmony. You listen, and you know the feeling. And, I've got a really good feeling about them.

If you want to listen, I suggest starting with "Frat Mouse V: The Department of Motor Vehicles", "Beep Boop" and "Ben Gets a Master’s in Communication.”

Part Four: The Impact

Has midwest emo had a significant impact on the music industry as a whole? No. Is there a very niche group of young people that use this genre as an emotional crutch to get them through the hellscape that is the ever-encroaching threat of adulthood? Absolutely, yes. This music means a lot to me, as it's seen me develop in friendships, relationships, and life in general. Sure, it's rudimentary, lyrically uninspiring, and maybe a bit dramatic. But, it's meant to reflect the anxiety, heartache, and discomfort of growing up. I think we can all agree that it does that very, very well.

Midwest emo didn't have a huge breakout band because it wasn't supposed to. It comes back in spurts when we need it most. And, now more than ever, we really need it. I hope it sticks around for a bit longer.