Best Buds

Released in 2016, Best Buds served as a cornerstone of the 'fourth wave' or Midwest Emo revival. Recorded with a DIY ethos, the album's sonic identity is defined by the interplay between Eric Butler's polarizing, nasal vocal style and intricate, clean-channel guitar work characterized by frequent tapping and open tunings. While many of their peers leaned into darker, more aggressive post-hardcore influences, Mom Jeans. embraced a brighter, pop-inflected sensibility that made Best Buds an immediate viral success within the indie-emo circuit. The album is notable for its lyrical focus on mundane heartbreak, academic stress, and the comforts of friendship, often delivered with a self-deprecating wit. Tracks like 'Death Cup' and 'Edward 40hands' became anthems of the era, helping to define the aesthetic of the modern DIY scene. Its critical legacy is that of a genre-defining record that prioritized relatability and technical guitar play over studio perfection.