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New Emo Wave: Bonus and Red Sun Collaborate on Split Release
In April, I expressed my excitement on social media about two emerging bands making waves in the emo scene—Bonus and Red Sun. Both bands hail from different regions of the United States, specifically south Florida and Oklahoma City, but they have quickly positioned themselves as pivotal players in the emo genre as we move through 2024. They are set to release a collaborative split titled Unnecessary Riffness, which is scheduled to hit the stores on December 6, under the label Wax Bodega.
Red Sun made a strong impression right from the start with their debut track, “Officer Jenny,” which premiered on New Year’s Eve as part of a split release alongside Me Too, Thanks, and the Others Like Us. Throughout 2024, they have continued to refine their sound and performance. Their appearance at Fauxchella in June showcased their escalating energy, with fans enthusiastically engaging and creating an electrifying atmosphere that echoed the excitement of witnessing Modern Baseball in their earlier days. Their new single from the upcoming split, “Boomer,” radiates with catchy melodies characteristic of emo and pop-punk, reminiscent of bands like Mom Jeans, but with riffs that are notably elevated.
Meanwhile, Bonus has burst onto the scene with tremendous success, particularly with their February EP titled A Dog Was. The band has emerged from South Florida’s thriving DIY music landscape, a hub that consistently unveils new talent across various genres including hardcore, indie rock, and emo. The standout track, “Lose,” has dominated my emo playlists this year, and today they introduce another strong contender in “LASO.” This new song expertly oscillates between infectious choruses and gaming references, specifically to Halo, making for a uniquely relatable and stirring listening experience.
Both bands are set to release an additional song with the split, and they have been generating buzz with some creatively designed merchandise, thanks to the artwork by Franklin Reyes. For those eager to get a taste of their music, both tracks will be available for streaming shortly.
Release Details
Unnecessary Riffness will officially release on December 6 via Wax Bodega.
Source
www.stereogum.com