As we look back at emo music, history and narratives- it’s hard to deny that much of what has been revived today comes from the lens of those who lived in the USA and UK. For us in the Asia Pacific though, emo was just as popular but different bands may have taken the lead and different experiences shaped our perceptions and movement. Sound was not attached to a geography, rather it was attached to a feeling. We did not have Hot Topic. We didn’t have Warped Tour but through the online world and those rare tours, we got to experience an emo wave of our own.

The definition of emo has changed and morphed over the years. From your original Midwest emotional hardcore, to what was affectionately dubbed “screamo” in mid to late 00’s, along with bands like My Chemical Romance and The Used becoming poster boys for the genre- what is and isn’t emo has hotly debated. Recently, even pop-punk leaning bands like Paramore and Fall Out Boy have been named as the top acts- but at the end of the day, whatever your personal or professional assessment of what emo is does not matter too much. Two things we can agree on in this year of 2025 is that emo is not dead and of lastly, it was never just a phase.

With ‘EMO NIGHTS’ popping up across the world, satisfying those from early 00’s MySpace era to the Tumblr Emo’s of the 2010’s and of course, the kids going back into the nostalgia and sparking new life into it- it’s never been as cool as it is now to get in touch with your emo side. (Let’s be honest- back in the day we never actually admitted being emo).

Now you are probably wondering why a metalcore publication is covering emo music, but at the end of the day, there is no escaping the emotional hardcore aspect of the genre. Many of us, especially in the Asia Pacific, rocked our Atreyu shirts one day, our AFI shirts another, then in our MCR merch getting our Avenged Sevenfold Death bat tattoos- all while our hair was swept to the side.

From Tokyo to Bangkok, Adelaide to Saigon- the emo wave is well and truly back in full force, so here are some bands that may not specifically be that token “Midwest emo” sound but they are carrying the flag for those emo kid vibes we all are long for.

Survive Said The Prophet (Japan)

There is a reason that frontman Yosh Morita selected the moniker ‘Chosen By The Emo Gods’ to be across the merch for his production studio, The Hideout Studios. From the dynamic clean singing to screams, the lovesick and heart wrenching lyrics and the occasional breakdowns- you cannot deny that Survive Said The Prophet captures those emo kids feels. On top of this, many of us elder emos were also big anime fans and Survive Said The Prophet have dropped some of the best anime openings of this century. After experiencing a sneak peak of their new material at their show in Tokyo earlier this month- this band is worthy of a spot on a 2025 emo playlist.

The Rocket Whale (Thailand)

Okay, we have talked about these guys at length- but we are going to do it again! The Rocket Whale is a band that have the test of time while weathering the trends, sticking to their signature sound and should well and truly be at the forefront of any emocore/post hardcore revival. Their single ‘Dreamcatcher’ is positively dreamy (yes pun intended) and proves that this style of music will stand the test of time as we welcome back our side fringed selves.

Now Or Later (Vietnam)

Giving us everything from the red ties to those perfectly timed gang vocals and melodic riffs, Saigon’s Now Or Later are part of the regions flourishing emo/pop punk scene. Singing in both English and Vietnamese, their sound is everything we loved about the mid-00’s emocore scene, without being too drenched in nostalgia. Their latest single ‘Thủy Tinh’ is their best yet, but also checked out ‘Scarred Wrist’ for even more catchy feels.

Wolf & Chain (Australia)

 As we are an Adelaide based publication, we could not skip the incredible lads from Wolf & Chain. From the second we saw these guys live a few years ago, we knew that emo was back. Leaving us questioning whether frontman Jack had actually been raised watching Gerard Way onstage, this band is the ultimate indulgence for your emo sensibilities. Their cult following is constantly growing and they keep getting stronger with every release. We suggest starting with ‘Phantom’, then just hit shuffle and consume every single release.

Good Grief (Japan)

Okay, we did want to keep the list to one band per country- but the Japanese emo revival is something we cannot ignore and if we were going to add one more band, it had to be the Tokyo Sad Boi’s Good Grief. Releasing their full-length album, Good Songs: Better Times back in December, these guys are for those emo kids who really dig the pop-punk vibes rather than the heavier, hardcore side. Live? Phenomenal. While their music is dripping in melancholy, they are such a fun band to get down to.

This is just a very brief list to get you started on the emo vibes and get you back into the emo revival. So, get out those checkered Vans and pull out that eyeliner, it’s time to embrace what was once cringe and be free.

Also, which current emo/emo inspired bands are you rocking with currently from the Asia Pacific region? Let us know and maybe we do a part two…or a playlist.