Emo is probably the most nostalgic genre in music: “Heart on your sleeve” tenderness mixed with sonic attack. Pain, conflict, insecurity, and emotionally confessional expression that became a stereotype linked to fashion, culture, behavior, sensitivity, shyness, misanthropy, angst, introversion, self-harm, suicide, and whatever nonsensical bullshit critics said. Some emo bands rejected the brand to avoid the hullabaloo (probably a smart move!). Despite all the shitty bands emo created, some of the bands in the genre were (still are) really great at playing rock ‘n’ roll. And what kid in their right mind wasn’t buying band t-shirts at Hot Topic 16 years ago? The store only had like 500 on display.

The roots of emo are in punk and post-hardcore, originating in Washington, D.C. in the mid-1980s through the outward intensity of such punk bands as Rites of Spring and Minor Threat. No, don’t ever tell people that those two bands were emo; you’ll justifiably get kicked in the face. “Emo” somehow became a term — punk rockers were getting overtly emotional onstage — passed around and eventually an entire dramatic scene. Upon research, “emo” was first printed in New Musical Express in 1995. When legendary punk hero Ian Mackaye saw “emo-core” written in an issue of Thrasher in 1985, he said it was “the stupidest fucking thing I’ve ever heard in my entire life.”

Associated genres of Emo: pop punk, indie rock, emo pop, screamo, and Midwest emo (huh?). Long Island, NY and New Jersey became hotbeds for Emo, but only the few and the proud grace this list. Eventually sponsored by major corporations on national tours, the genre started becoming a distant memory around 2010; the listeners and players started growing into distinguished adults. Until recently when underground revival bands — the likes of the Hotelier, Touche Amore, Joyce Manor, and the World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die — unearthed all the nostalgia, reminding former Emo listeners why the genre can be so damn meaningful to listen to if you’re following the correct bands. Torchbearers Brand New (now discarded from this list due to disgusting sexual misconduct allegations against Jesse Lacey), Thursday, and Glassjaw are still around as Emo is being appreciated like never before.

Before we start balling our eyes out over all the unearthed memories, here are the must-own classics of Emo. It’s going to hurt, but mostly lyrically.