Midwest Emo is a subgenre of Alternative 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, taking influences from genres of the time such as Post-Hardcore or Grunge (Sunny Day Real Estate), or more quiet, atmospheric taking influences from Post-Rock and Math Rock (American Football).

In the 2000s the genre continues with bands like The Jim Yoshii Pile-Up, Algernon Cadwallader, Benton Falls and Good Luck, this time emphasizing even more the more atmospheric sound of bands like American Football, without forgetting the more aggressive side of course.

By the 2010s, bands like Crash of Rhinos, Marietta and The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die continue to develop and innovate in the genre, with new production techniques and sonic influences.

It is also known as Midwestern Emo.