What it is, what to hear first, and what sits next to it.
Midwest Emo is a subgenre of Rock influenced by Emocore (also known as Emotional Hardcore) which emphasizes the use of arpeggios and/or overall rawness with lyrical melancholy accompanied by unpolished vocals that prefer "genuineness" over technique. It began in the Midwest region of the United States (hence its name) in the 90s, with bands like Sunny Day Real Estate, American Football, Mineral, Texas Is The Reason and Penfold developing this sound as melancholic and nostalgic as sharp and intense .