Every Origami Angel Song, Ranked
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Photo by Bethunni Schreiner
Origami Angel is an emo duo from College Park, Maryland, currently signed to Counter Intuitive Records. Despite only having existed for four years, the band already has one of the best discographies in the scene. Their music is a unique blend of tap-happy emo, hook-heavy pop-punk, and sing-along indie rock, all topped off with a dollop of upbeat easycore for good measure. Gami’s lyrics range from the grounded nerdiness of Pokemon and Rocket League to more existential fears of crushing self-doubt and the complexities of modern relationships. The result is equal parts moshable, danceable, relatable, and quotable, where each song overflows with positivity and hyper-technical displays of instrumental mastery.
Gami’s first official release, Quiet Hours, is a 2017 EP that the band members have since dubbed their “soft emo album before [they] discovered blastbeats.” The duo started to make a name for themselves in 2018 with their second EP Doing The Most. Featuring poignant sentiments, hyper-online tendencies, and a now-iconic Herman Cain sample, this EP put the band on the map of the wider emo scene and helped them find a community outside of their east coast home.
In 2019 Gami’s hustle was undeniable. The band kicked the year off with a Split between themselves and fellow Marylanders Commander Salamander in January. They released a Pokemon-themed EP in the spring and embarked on their first nationwide tour that summer. By the time November had rolled around, the group released their debut record by way of an augmented reality tourism site. Since racking up glowing reviews and numerous album of the year placements (including our own), singer/guitarist Ryland Heagy and drummer Pat Doherty have become the face of emo’s up-and-coming fifth wave.
I figured what better time than the release of the duo’s sophomore album to sit down and formalize my thoughts on the band’s discography before it nearly doubles in size. I want to preface this ranking with the disclaimer that I don’t think Origami Angel has ever made a bad song. This may be a “ranking” in the sense that the tracks are ordered by increasing quality, but this list is less “worst to best” and more “amazing to flawless.” These songs are all different shades of incredible, my hyper-subjective taste is the only criteria here. Truth be told, this entire article is just an excuse for me to write about all of the band’s songs in one place. That said, this order is definitive and inarguable… Just kidding, please tell me what you think of my ranking and share your thoughts at the bottom.
Also, if you’ve made it this far, here’s the ranking in playlist form, in case you want to listen along, skip to the end, or just hear all of the band’s songs in the most arbitrary way possible.
#30 - Osmosis
First up, we have “Osmosis,” the third track from Quiet Hours. I’ll admit I placed this song dead last out of respect for the band since they’ve once voiced it as their least favorite. I figured this list may be divisive, but we might as well start on common ground, right? Despite the band's self-criticism, I think this song is pleasant enough; the guitar line is modest, the drumming is loose, and the line “get out my head and in my heart” is cute. Not a bad place to start.
#29 - Mark My Words
“Mark My Words” opens with a sentiment that I think we all shared at one point in high school: “I don’t give a damn about conformity or who you think I am.” A little on-the-nose, but this sappy salvo makes way for a gorgeous bit of mellowed-out emo tapping that’s as reflective and meditative as the genre ever allows itself to get. Midway through the song, the band works this singular guitar twinkle into a fully-fledged riff before throwing back to the chorus one last time for maximum impact.
#28 - Say Less
I’ll be honest, I love Somewhere City, but “Say Less” has always been a bit of a lull in the tracklist for me. Maybe it’s the slow open or the Star Trek clip that precedes it, but “Say Less” has always felt slightly different from the rest of the album. At its core, this is a song about a mean person who talks endless shit. Moreover, it’s about the person on the receiving end of this shit talking finding the power to fight back and stand up for themselves. A positive message, but possibly the most negative Origami Angel has ever allowed themselves to get, and that bums me out, maaan.
#27 - Step
Throughout this list, you’ll notice a trend of lots of Quiet Hours at the “bottom.” That's no fault of the band; they've just developed so much in terms of songwriting and production since their inception. “Step” is a lovely little romantic cut about needing someone by your side through all the ups and downs of life. Again, the band indulges in some nice guitar tapping and emo riffing throughout, even a little hand drumming at the end. The result is a slow-building love song that carries on despite the melancholy knowledge that love rarely lasts forever.
#26 - Hey There
“Hey There” opens with a series of name drops that take me right back to high school. The lyrics “I told Jacob I was in love with you since last April” instantly evoke hushed conversations between would-be lovers exchanging feelings in a crowded lunchroom. As most crushes go, this one doesn’t pan out but still resulted in some heartfelt lyricism, impressive drumming, and long-forgotten inside jokes.
#25 - Juultide Carol
For those of you that don’t know, I’m a big Christmas guy. I run a seasonal Christmas blog, for god’s sake. I delve into the Christmas tunes as soon as the clock strikes midnight on October 31st, but that seasonal window means that songs like “Juultide Carol” don’t get many plays from me. Instrumentally, this track is a step up from most found on Quiet Hours, but the lyrics hinge on a (somewhat played) atheistic refrain capped off by an abrupt ending that feels like a slight lack of payoff. “Juultide Carol” is still a fun little emo Christmas tune, but demoted solely because of my principles which only allow me to listen to it for two months out of the year.
#24 - w / u
Here we have possibly the most romantic Gami song. Despite the loving lyrics and adorable merch, I think that “w / u” fits better as a centerpiece within the context of Doing The Most than it does on its own. It’s a moment to catch your breath between the breakneck pace of “ROM Hack” and the emotional outpouring of “Thanks! I Hate It.” On its own, this track is an excitable romantic song that finds a couple in newfound love looking forward in time, eager to spend the rest of their lives together. It’s a beautiful sentiment, complete with a picturesque fireplace and a series of cherubic “woo ooh’s” that sound as if we’ve been struck with Cupid’s arrow itself.
#23 - Greenbelt Station
I avoided putting any tracks off Origami Angel Broke Minecraft on this list because (good as it is), it feels wrong to include remixes on a song ranking. That said, the band introduced “Greenbelt Station” as a ‘new song’ during their digital set at Minechella in early 2020 where they first played this EP in full. The song is a stark departure from the then-just-months-old Somewhere City, finding Ryland playing an acoustic guitar alone by himself and crooning. It’s a solo acoustic song that feels very “full circle” and honestly could have fit in anywhere on Quiet Hours. Only time will tell how it fits into the band’s upcoming sophomore album.
#20 - XD Gale of Darkness
On the complete opposite tonal spectrum of “Greenbelt Station,” we have “XD Gale of Darkness.” This high-bpm closer features spitfire hip-hop vocals, crowd-churning blast beats, and a piercing screamo howl. It’s the perfect way to end Gen 3 and includes a shoutout to fellow fifth-wave emo rockers Stars Hollow; what’s not to like?
#21 - Escape Rope
False narratives, fake friends, and daylight savings time. As you grapple with these things throughout various times in your life, sometimes they can overlap in a way that feels like the world is out to kick your ass specifically. “Escape Rope” is a reminder to persevere. Its title comes from an item in the Pokemon games that can get you out of a tight spot if your squad of pocket monsters are in rough shape. This song serves a similar purpose, reminding the listener that they can always try to remove themselves from a bad situation at any given time.
#20 - Welcome To…
The intro track to Somewhere City feels like boarding a roller coaster. It’s pure hype that gets your mind racing and your stomach full of butterflies. As you board the ride and the over-the-shoulder restraint lowers, you can only imagine what lies ahead. This feeling is reinforced as the opening notes give way to group chants around the two-minute mark, and the entire track picks up speed, shooting the listener off into the wondrous realm of Somewhere City. There are rapid rises, sudden drops, and hairpin turns, all of which are exhilarating and everlasting. The best part? It’s only the first track paving the way for 30 minutes of equally thrilling emo.
#19 - The Air Up Here
Perhaps a coincidence, maybe a subconscious choice, it only felt right to link “Welcome To…” and “The Air Up Here” in this ranking given that they bookend Somewhere City. For a song clocking in at only 5 minutes, this track has a surprising amount of tricks up its sleeve. Not only does “The Air Up Here” loop back to the opening track a-lah Cosmic Thrill Seekers, but it also weaves together a medley that calls back to previous songs on the album in the vein of pop-punk greats like The Wonder Years. The song is one last push, one final reminder of all the sights, sounds, and experiences you’ve taken in during your stay at Somewhere City. It’s a perfect closing track, and the best part is that it opens the door for the listener to start it all over again.
#18 - Origami Bagel
Perhaps one of the most bouncy Gami songs, “Origami Bagel” begins with a jubilant guitar that sets both the tone and tempo for the rest of the track. The song sounds like summer romance as images of random happenings flash before the listener: German television dubs, sunlit glances, and hour-long bus rides, all in the name of love. A guitar slide and mini scream signal the emotional climax as Ryland sings that he’ll “never be alone” as long as he has this feeling of the other person in his life. Just beautiful.
#17 - Ride Our Bikes to School
The opening song to Gami’s first-ever release, “Ride Our Bikes to School,” is blissful. The guitars are gentle, the drums are subtle, and the lyrics are heartfelt. The sentiments are as delicate as a bed of cherry blossoms. It’s beautiful, youthful springtime love. Maybe it will work out, maybe it won’t. Sometimes all you can do is sit back and enjoy the ride.
#16 - fin (the long and untold story of how i know it’s meant to be)
“fin” begins with velvety smooth acoustic guitar and possibly the single sweetest line the band has ever penned, “I always knew you / Even before I knew who you would be / Maybe we were made from the same star.” A gentle cello enters the mix, softly guiding the listener like Homer in slumberland. As the narrator wonders if this relationship is fate or intentional, they look to the stars for answers, only to get a cosmic “no” in return. Are they going to let the celestial bodies dictate their love? Tune in next time to find out.
#15 - Notice
One of the single most dynamic Gami songs, “Notice” begins with a barely audible acoustic guitar and softly-hummed vocals. “You may not notice, but I fucking love you,” Ryland explains earnestly. As they repeat this phrase, presumably in an attempt to get the person to notice, the instrumental suddenly swells to a fully-fledged shoegaze riff complete with distorted guitar, crashing cymbals, and a high-pitched wail. The same phrase is now delivered in a passionate scream, and it’s hard to imagine that the message went unnoticed after that.
#14 - The Title Track
So what is Somewhere City? Well, the album’s title track contains every answer. Somewhere City is a place where you can let your hair down. It’s a place where you can be yourself, make friends, and bond over the same interests with ease. It’s also an escape from the real world where you feel like you have to shield parts of yourself. It’s a place where you don’t have to bottle everything up, and you are accepted for who you are. It’s a place with blastbeats and limitless love. The best part? Somewhere City isn’t something you can find on a map; it’s a state of being. It’s a mindset, and that makes it the ultimate escape.
#13 - Doctor Whomst
The second single off of Somewhere City is perhaps the single best manifesto of Origami Angel’s approach to both music and life. The track begins with two chuggy palm mutes before a whirlwind of emo riffage whisks the listener back in time. We soon find the band recalling how they used to feel watching Danny Phantom and eating Happy Meals as a kid. It’s a musical time machine back to a period in your life when the only worry you had was the next commercial break. It’s an anthem about reclaiming this youthful positivity and adopting it into adulthood. It’s about appreciating where you are now and still striving to achieve the best version of yourself. Thank you, Danny Phantom.
#12 - Emerald
Tonally similar to “Doctor Whomst,” “Emerald” begins with a hard-charging punky riff that paves the way for a friendly Mr. Rogers-type greeting. The sunny disposition in the “Hi!” at the beginning of the song quickly crumbles as Ryland addresses some faceless other who we find out has written him off. Even though they may still think he’s a selfish mess of a person, the peace in this song comes from knowing that you have grown. This detractor hasn’t witnessed that development, and frankly, they don’t care. It’s an important life lesson to learn that you can’t win everyone over, despite how nice you are. The important thing is that you keep getting better and know that the negative people will filter themselves out of your life on their own.
#11 - effective. Power
Here, we start at the beginning. “effective. Power” may not be the first-ever Gami song, but it’s wild to think about how this track served as my entry point into the band. This is where it all started for me. The opening notes evoke a very specific time in my life while also perfectly setting the tone for the release. As the guitars tap and the melodies sway, this song really just feels like one big instrumental flex. It’s Gami operating at high capacity. At this point, they are already a well-oiled machine and perfectly in sync with each other.
#10 - 666 Flags
“666 Flags” is a song indulging in the scenario that every kid who played Roller Coaster Tycoon dreamed about; what if I got a roller coaster… in my backyard!? This song sits perfectly between the fast-food pit stop of “24 Hr Drive-Thru” and the nostalgia field trip of “Doctor Whomst.” This song is the perfect connective tissue of childhood dreams come to life; the only difference is, in Somewhere City, those dreams are only a thought away.
I still remember my first listen of this album, driving from Detroit to DC for the record release show. I must have been in the far left lane going 80 or 90 miles an hour, flying down the highway. As soon as the chaotic hardcore blast began in the final minute of the track, I remember looking in the rearview mirror and seeing tears welling up in my eyes as goosebumps popped up across my body—the perfect first listening experience.
#9 - SpaceX T-Shirt
Here we have the final Quiet Hours song on the countdown and also Gami’s first biggest “hit.” The twinkle is strong with this one. On “SpaceX T-Shirt,” the band balances a heavenly effervescent melody with romantic lyrics like “I can only get to sleep if I know you'll be in my dreams.” The group continues this train of logic with, “And I can only dream if I know you'll be sleeping next to me” before throwing to the riffage one more time. It's still fuck Elon Musk.
#8 - Denny’s Devito
One of the reasons I put “Say Les” so low on this ranking is because I feel like “Denny’s Devito” captures the same sentiment so much better. The track begins with self-isolation stemming from a deep well of insecurity. After all, nobody can judge you when you're by yourself. We’ve all over-analyzed in the mirror. We’ve all wanted to change for entirely superficial reasons. We’ve all wanted an easy out. While the first half of the song is mired in these concerns, a realization takes place halfway through as Ryland sings, “If I’m gonna die all alone, gonna have a little fun before I go.” This line throws to a breakdown and high-tempo burst of energy that is beautifully moshpit-inspiring. “Denny’s Devito” is a feel-good song in the face of not feeling good.
#7 - Skeleton Key
“Skeleton Key” is a love song. The big difference between other love songs and this one is that “Skeleton Key” can apply to anyone in your life. This song can apply to your partner, your friend, your parents, your pets, anything. The track opens with anxiety about being away from your favorite person and how bad it would feel if you lost them forever. It’s the kind of perspective that being on tour brings out of nearly everyone. “I hope you know everything you do is special to me; you’re my skeleton key,” the band croons midway through the track. As the narrator assures this important person that they want to be there with them, the instrumental makes way for a phenomenal build of reassurances and a torrential outpouring of love.
#6 - Find Your Throne
Aside from Chunk! No Captain Chunk!’s “In Friends We Trust,” Origami Angel’s “Find Your Throne” is arguably the definitive song about the power of friendship. The track begins with a pounding hard rock rally that gradually builds into standard Gami fanfare. The song sees Ryland talking to the listener directly, tossing off vague affirmations, praise, and encouragement.
What sets this song apart from the others on Somewhere City comes about halfway through, where everything quiets down to a hush. The midway point on this song is probably the most subdued the record ever gets, and it exists to shine a spotlight on the lyrics, intentionally making them impossible to ignore. Ryland sings, “I know it's hard to feel like yourself / When they see you and say you're somebody else / But I know you… I know you / I know it's tough, and that you've had enough / But if you feel like nobody does / I love you… I love you” It’s a beautiful, forthright, and wholesome message aimed directly at the audience.
Suddenly the instrumental begins to build again. Ryland states, "And I won't give up that easily / Let me show you what I know…" the song drops out for a beat. A pinch harmonic comes in as he finishes his thought with a boisterous shout, "You're the goddamn king of the universe / Even when it feels like it can't get worse / All you need to do is find your throne / And you'll never be alone, you'll never be alone" a triumphant group chant then carries the song out for maximum positive friendship-fueled energy.
#5 - Sapphire
In the lead-up to the release of Gen 3, Origami Angel released three of the EP’s four songs as singles. As hungry as I was for new Gami at the time, I tried my best to hold off on listening to “Sapphire” (the third single) until the official release. It just felt weird to have heard a majority of the EP before it came out. As I showed up to work the day of the single’s drop, a friend of mine convinced me to give it a spin and assured me, ‘dude, trust me you're gonna love it.’ Two lines in, and I knew exactly what he meant.
With an opening salvo that name-drops Pokemon, Twin Peaks, and Rocket League all in sequence, “Sapphire” felt like a song tailor-made for me. The decision to filter a relationship through this densely-layered pop-culture lens is nothing short of genius. It is a love song unlike any other where the feelings of adoration are just strong whether they’re actively pouring out or you’re just chilling in bed together looking at Twitter.
#4 - Thanks! I Hate It.
Perhaps my first favorite Gami song, “Thanks! I Hate It.” is an emotional powerhouse. The track begins bitterly as Ryland lays out the bummer qualities of someone’s personality. The band riffs, falls back into a dancehall gallop, then starts over again with a subtle emo guitar line. Suddenly, the emotions are bursting at the seams as every instrument turns up to eleven in a towering riff. Ryland screams the all-too-relatable lines at the high end of his register, belting, “I’m too broken to be with you / but I’m too scared to be alone.” Man. That shit hurted.
#3 - 24 Hr Drive-Thru
If “Welcome To” (fittingly) served as the welcome to Somewhere City, then “24 Hr Drive-Thru” is the initiation. It’s a ride-along on a midnight McDonald's run. It’s the type of spur-of-the-moment decision that says time of day, weather, and number of calories be damned; I’m coming over, and we're going to hang out because that's what you need, and I care about you.
Unforgettably, my first live experience with this song was at Gami’s hometown release show, where the power went out mid-song, but somehow the amps stayed on. Simply put, it was a powerful moment of Rock ‘n Roll Magic. As the band kept playing in the dark, the crowd kept singing along, eventually raising their phones one-by-one, illuminating the basement with the light of, fine, I’ll just say it; friendship. It was a beautiful moment and a live music experience I’ll never forget for as long as I live.
#2 - Ruby
“Ruby” is a perfectly crafted song. It has storytelling, it has a catchy hook, it has impressive instrumentals, and it’s barely over a minute long. This is an earworm of a track that perfectly captures the spark of meeting someone new who completely enthralls you. It’s a borderline pop song. It feels like this could be covered by anyone from Charli XCX to Toby Keith, and it would still work. Of course, a track like “Ruby” could only come from the minds of Gami, who turn it into a sparkly, uptempo shredder with a melody that you can never forget.
#1 - ROM Hack
There could only be one way that this list ended, and it’s “ROM Hack.” This is the Origami Angel song; it simply has everything. A classic (and hilarious) opening sample, jaw-dropping instrumentation, and beautiful, heartfelt lyrics. Hearing Herman Cain, of all people, say “I believe these words came from the Pokemon Movie” now gets me hyped beyond belief. Trying to keep up with the whirlwind of emo instrumentation that follows it is just as fun. The solemn first verse over acoustic guitar is pitch-perfect. The song’s slow build under the sentimental lyrics is masterful. The second verse is a flawless bit of emo penmanship so good that I’m just going to transpose it here in full:
And not that you'd care
But I started getting the help that I so badly need
And not that you'd care
But I found some people who really like me
But I hope that you do
'Cause I started bettering me 'cause I wanted to be like you
This verse is followed by one more instrumental drop out before the band returns full-force for a repetition of “I started bettering me 'cause I wanted to be like you.” The song eventually winds down gracefully, but not before one last crowd-churning riff designed to pull out every last bit of serotonin you had left. The definitive Gami song.
Well folks, there you have it, my ranking of every Origami Angel song. As the band revs up to drop their sophomore album later this week, I look forward to many more years of positive affirmations, exuberant guitar tapping, and immaculate drumming. Until next time, I’ll see you all in Somewhere City.
