emobutterknight

[emobutterknight]

Where to start with - beauty school

Beauty school are a pop-punk band from Leeds, England. At time of writing they only have one album released - ‘Happiness’, released in 2022. If you like melodic punk with slightly more aggressive vocals, you will be all over this. If you’re attending Slam Dunk Festival 2024, do not sleep on these guys. They will be opening up the Key Club stage, and we bouta turn up.

So, where should you start?

As mentioned, they only have one album out right now… so start there:

1. Happiness

If you just want a few tracks to get you started, i recommend these three:

1. Pawn shop jewels

2. Silver

3. Gloom

[emobutterknight]

Where to start with - A Day To Remember

ADTR are an metalcore/easycore band formed in Ocala, Florida in 2003. They currently have 8 studio albums released, the last of which being released in 2021. They are one of the most beloved bands in the modern metalcore scene, mainly for their certified classic album ‘Homesick’. Jeremy McKinnon’s powerful yet beautiful voice blends pop-punk and metalcore perfectly to create the ultimate easycore beast. And for you screamo fans, you’ll have a field day with this one.

So, where do you begin?

If you want to get involved immediately with albums, here are three you should prioritise:

1. Homesick

2. Common Courtesy

3. What separates me from you

If you just want a few tracks to get you started, here are three to start with:

1. All I want

2. I’m made of wax Larry, what are you made of?

3. Right back at it again

[emobutterknight]

Siren Song Of The Counter-Culture - Rise Against

This is third album from Rise Against released in 2004. And honestly, I find it hard to choose a spot to place it in my list of favourite Rise Against albums. It definitely has a more raw sound than later projects - as to be expected to be fair. While not my absolute favourite project from the band, it is absolutely phenomenal. It's an album from Rise Against, were we really expecting any different? If you're a fan of melodic hardcore - or just hardcore in general - you will love this album. Guaranteed.

Overall, I'd give this album a 8/10.

Top Tracks: Bottom track:

The first drop 1. anywhere but here

Life less frightening

Give it all

[emobutterknight]

Does This Look Infected - Sum 41

One of Sum 41's most beloved albums by fans, and for good reason. This album had the tough job of following the pop-punk classic 'All Killer No Filler', and it succeeded tremendously. If anything, this album is even better. An absolute must-listen for fans of just alternative music as a whole. Deathcore fan? Listen to this. Scene kid? listen to this. Will it be anything like what you usually listen to? No. Will you enjoy it anyway? Probably.

Overall, I'd give this album a 8/10, verging on a 9. Just one too many skips to give it a 9 though.

Top Tracks: Bottom track:

thanks for nothing 1. Hooch

the hell song

still waiting

[emobutterknight]

Dogma - Crown The Empire

I will be entirely honest... this album disappointed me slightly. I initially heard about this album through the song 'someone else' - which is still the biggest highlight on the project - and I believed this would be an absolute 10/10 album. And that seemed to be the case... for 4 songs. The first four songs were incredible and it seemed like nothing could go wrong. The next four however, not my cup of tea. It did pick up right at the end with the last two tracks, but that middle section just fell flat for me. I would still absolutely recommend giving this project a listen - especially to fans of both melodic and screamy metalcore - as the songs that I would call mid might be your favourites - they are the biggest songs on the record after all.

Overall, I'd give this album a 7/10. A few skips, but the hits hit very hard.

Top tracks: Bottom track:

Someone else 1. Dancing with the dead

Black sheep

Labyrinth

[emobutterknight]

Color - Coyote Theory

I'm not entirely sure what I was expecting going into this project... but jesus christ it was beautiful. This is an absolute masterpiece of an ep - five songs of pure magic. Obviously this project contains their smash hit 'this side of paradise' - which is the song that introduced me to the band in the first place, as I'm sure was the case with many others. If you like music, listen to this ep.

Overall, I'd give this project a 9/10. Very short, but absolute magic.

Top tracks: Bottom track:

Vibe 1. Art of understanding

This side of paradise

The ruse & the caper

[emobutterknight]

Goodbye Lullaby - Avril Lavigne

This album was great. It’s Avril, were you expecting any different. This definitely feels like some of the more pop-punk stuff shes done, and I’m absolutely here for it. In particular, the seven song run from ‘what the hell’ to ‘everybody hurts’ - just magic. After that, it did become slightly hit or miss for me, but I can’t let the few misses take away from just how hard the hits hit. If you like any of Avril’s other work, or are just a fan of the more pop leaning pop-punk, absolutely listen to this album.

Overall, I’d give this album a 8/10. Easily my favourite album of hers.

Top tracks: Bottom track:

1. What the hell 1. 4 real

2. Push

3. Everybody hurts

[emobutterknight]

Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge - My Chemical Romance

How to even do this album justice? This is the sophomore album for MCR and was truly the album that propelled them from 'great band' to 'legend' status. With massive hits like 'I'm not okay (I promise)' and 'Helena (so long and goodnight)' , this album has cemented itself in emo history. There isn't a great deal more to say about it really. If you haven't listened to it yet... where have you been, go listen to it. And if you have... go listen to it again. You know you want to.

Overall, I give this album a 9/10. Masterpiece.

Top tracks:

you know what they do to guys like us in prison

Helena

Thank you for the venom

Bottom track:

1. Hange ‘em high

[emobutterknight]

Happiness - Beauty School

Just goes to show that you should never sleep on small artists. Beauty School is a band from Leeds, England, that currently has only the one album out as of now - this one. And as debut albums go, this is a strong start. It has the feel of going to see your local indie punk, and that kinda charm is something I love in a project. And if that's your vibe, you'll love this.

Overall, I'm giving this album a 8/10. Genuinely love this.

Top Tracks: Bottom Track:

Pawn Shop Jewels 1. Monster

Silver

Only Nature

[emobutterknight]

The Interrupters - The Interrupters

Let me start by saying, ska is really not my thing. But… this album goes kinda hard. If you aren’t really into ska but you’re into punk, go listen to this ‘cause you’ll probably love it as well. I went into this kinds expecting to not be in love with most of it, but my expectations were exceeded tremendously. Much recommended to anyone whos a fan of ska or punk - or both.

Overall, I’d give this album a 8/10. Genuinely surprised me.

Top tracks: Bottom track:

1. Take back the power 1. A friend like me

2. Easy on you

3. Can’t be trusted

[emobutterknight]

Leaving Through The Window - Something Corporate

look. I'm very aware how beloved this album is. But. As much as I enjoy tracks such as 'I woke up in a car' or 'Cavanaugh Park', I can't look past the fact that this album was more skips than bangers for me personally. To me, it just didn't stand out that much from other albums in the scene, and just felt a little uninteresting to listen to. I would absolutely recommend listening to this album, especially to fans of early 2000s pop punk. But I guess it just isn't for me.

Personally, I would rate this album a 5/10

Top tracks: Bottom tracks:

I woke up in a car 1. If you c jordan

Cavanaugh Park

Straw Dog

[emobutterknight]

The Mourning - Black Veil Brides

currently the latest ep from BVB, released in October 2022. standing at 4 songs and 13 minutes in length, it is quite a short project. however, it still manages to engage you just like all their other projects. from the fast paced, energetic 'devil' to the slow, beautiful 'saviour II', this ep somehow manages to have it all. as a massive BVB fan myself, i may be slightly biased when i say all this. however if you've got 15 minutes spare, go give it a listen. you'll see that im not wrong.

overall, I'd rate this project a 8/10. It's BVB, were you expecting any less?

top tracks: bottom track:

saviour II 1.better angels (still a good

revival song, just the only one left)

devil

[emobutterknight]

The Serenity Of Suffering - Korn

I doubt many people would disagree with me when I say that this is not Korn's best work. While this album does have a few bangers such as 'rotting in vain' or 'a different world' - featuring slipknot's own Corey Taylor - many of the songs just don't sound all that unique. writing new interesting material is always tough, especially when you've been making music as long as Korn have. but it doesn't change the fact that this album just felt a little lackluster. i would still go back to it for a listen every now and then, and i would absolutely recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed any of Korn's other works - and to fans of nu-metal as a whole. but there's just one too many skips for me to look past.

Overall, I'd give this album a 6/10. again, not terrible, just underwhelming.

top tracks: bottom track:

rotting in vain 1. everything falls apart

next in line

a different world

[emobutterknight]

Dead Silence - Billy Talent

this is the fourth album released by Billy Talent and the first true deviation from their series of self titled albums. it gives off a very different energy to their most popular project - 'Billy Talent II' - namely feeling more akin to older rock acts, at least to my ears. this can be heard especially on songs such as 'stand up and run' and 'crooked minds'. would highly recommend to anyone who loves the more rock heavy side of punk-rock.

overall, I'd give the project a 7/10. not my favourite project from them, but by no means a bad, or even mid, album.

top tracks: bottom track:

crooked minds 1. stand up and run

hanging by a thread

man alive!

[emobutterknight]

Take Off Your Colours - You Me At Six

This is the debut album from YMAS, and it truly set a high bar for the rest of their career. It too this day is regarded as one of - if not THE - best album they've ever put out over 15 years later. And this album has become even more beloved to fans - along with all their other music - after the announcement that they are splitting in 2025 after their final tour. This album is packed full of 2000s pop punk bangers such as 'save it for the bedroom' and 'jealous minds think alike'. Music that carries charm for alt kids and adults alike. Another thing to mention is... this album is loooong. With 18 songs clocking in at around 70 minutes total, this album is a prime example of the phrase 'bang for your buck'.

Overall, I would give this album a 8/10

top tracks: bottom track:

jealous minds think alike 1. if i were in your shoes

save it for the bedroom

if you run

[emobutterknight]

Generational - 408

the last ep from 408 before their sophomore album 'hot mess', 'generational' was released in July of 2023. The whole project feels like a throwback to the pop punk classics of the 2000s, especially on tracks such as 'college kids' or 'we dont get high like we used to'. the use of three different members on vocals really enhances the 'friends having fun during summer vacation' vibe the project has, as this project truly does sound like friends just having fun. even when it gets to songs with less fun summer themes such as 'againagainagain'. Would absolutely recommend to any fans of pop punk. Only problem is this project is only 5 songs long - far too short to truly get lost in. However their other projects are longer and I would also recommend those.

Overall, I would give this project a 7/10 - great songs but not enough of them to give it much higher than that

top tracks: bottom track:

againagainagain 1. carousel

generational

we dont get high like we used to

[emobutterknight]

Good Now EP - Charlotte Sands

this 6 track project is the latest ep from Charlotte Sands, released in July of 2023.

this project has a nice blend of slower songs you can bop your head to - such as the title track 'good now' or 'tantrum' - and faster paced songs that make you want to jump around and sing at the top of your lungs - such as 'lost' or 'six feet under'. I would highly recommend this project, alongside all her other works, to any lovers of the modern alternative pop / pop punk sound commonly found on tiktok (no shade, its a great vibe).

overall, I'd give this project a solid 7/10

top tracks: bottom track:

tantrum 1. alright

good now

lovesick - CRIMINALLY underrated