8 Reasons Why Mom Jeans.' "Scott Pilgrim Vs. My GPA" Is The Most Relevant Emo Anthem Right Now
The internet has a new, deeply nostalgic, and surprisingly relevant obsession, and it comes in the form of a six-year-old Midwest Emo track: "Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA." As of late December 2025, the song has exploded across social media platforms, particularly TikTok, where it fuels a massive micro-trend of users soundtracking their academic anxieties, personal failures, and general existential dread with its raw, passionate sound. This sudden virality has pulled the Berkeley, California-based band Mom Jeans. back into the spotlight, proving that their debut album's themes are timeless for a new generation struggling to find their footing.
This deep dive explores the unexpected resurgence of the track, dissecting its origins, the band's history, its profound lyrical content, and why this specific anthem from the Best Buds album has become the perfect musical metaphor for the modern struggle against the crushing weight of expectations—be it a romantic rival or a failing Grade Point Average (GPA).
Mom Jeans. Band Profile & The Best Buds Era (2016)
To understand the track "Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA," one must first appreciate the context of the band that created it: Mom Jeans. (often stylized with a period). Formed in 2014 by students at the University of California, Berkeley, the band quickly became a seminal figure in the burgeoning fourth-wave of the Emo movement, specifically the subgenre known as Midwest Emo.
The band was initially founded by lead singer and guitarist Eric Butler and guitarist Austin Carango. Their early work, including the Spring Demo, laid the groundwork for their signature sound: a blend of raw, confessional lyrics, intricate guitar work, and a sense of earnest vulnerability that resonated deeply with the DIY Emo scene. Over the years, the lineup has included other talented musicians such as Sam Kless, Gabriel Paganin, and Bart Thompson.
The Best Buds Tracklist: Where the Anthem Lives
"Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA" is the ninth track on Mom Jeans.' debut full-length album, Best Buds, which was released in 2016. The album is widely considered a cornerstone of modern Midwest Emo, characterized by a lo-fi production quality and highly relatable, introspective themes centered around college life, relationships, and emotional turmoil.
The tracklist is a masterclass in modern Emo storytelling, with each song contributing to the album's narrative of young adulthood anxiety:
- Death Cup
- Danger Can't
- Movember (featuring Sarah Levy)
- Edward 40Hands
- *Sobs Quietly*
- Poor Boxer Shorts
- Remy's Boyz
- Girl Scout Cookies
- Scott Pilgrim v. My GPA
- Vape Nation
The title itself, "Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA," is a direct and clever nod to the popular comic book and movie franchise, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. It substitutes the cinematic battle against the 'Seven Evil Exes' with the more mundane, yet equally terrifying, battle against a failing academic record—the ultimate symbol of young adult pressure.
The Unexpected TikTok Virality: A 2025 Micro-Trend
Despite being released years ago, the song has experienced a massive resurgence in recent months, becoming a viral hit and a trending sound on TikTok. This phenomenon is not just a random nostalgic blip; it reflects a deep, current cultural resonance. The track's raw emotion and specific lyrical themes have made it the perfect soundtrack for a generation grappling with mental health, post-pandemic academic burnout, and the general feeling of being overwhelmed.
The trend often involves users lip-syncing or creating short, dramatic skits that visualize the feeling of intense failure or regret, specifically referencing the struggle to maintain a good Grade Point Average (GPA) in college or high school. The song's instrumentation, which features a signature horn/brass part at the end, is a key element that many users point to as the emotional peak of the track, perfectly capturing the feeling of cathartic release after a period of struggle.
Why It Resonates Now: Nostalgia and Relatability
The song's popularity aligns with a broader trend of nostalgic micro-trends on TikTok. It taps into the emotional core of the Midwest Emo genre, which prioritizes vulnerability and relatability over polished production. For many, the song acts as a bridge between the early-2010s Emo revival and the current generation's emotional landscape. The comparison has even been made to other artists, with some listeners noting a similarity in melody to Ed Sheeran's "Tenerife Sea," highlighting its broad appeal beyond the niche Emo community.
The track’s success is a testament to the power of authentic music. It didn’t need a major label push; its popularity was purely driven by organic user-generated content, cementing Mom Jeans.' status as an influential force in contemporary alternative music.
Lyrical Analysis: The Core Battle Against Failure
The true genius and staying power of "Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA" lie in its lyrical content, which perfectly encapsulates the feeling of being directionless and self-critical. The song opens with a line that immediately grounds the listener in the narrator's emotional state: "It's hard for me to see exactly where the hell I went wrong."
This opening sets the stage for a narrative about a person who feels perpetually set up for failure, struggling to understand the "why" behind their life's battles. The use of "GPA" as the antagonist is a brilliant, specific metaphor for any crushing, institutional expectation—be it academic, career-based, or personal. It’s the battle against the metric, the number, that defines your worth in a structured world.
The Midwest Emo Connection and Topical Authority
Mom Jeans. is a key entity in the Midwest Emo scene, a genre known for its emphasis on complex, often math-rock-influenced guitar riffs and deeply personal, shouted-or-sung vocals. The song is a perfect example of this style, blending high-energy instrumentation with introspective lyrics. The genre itself is built on the foundation of emotional honesty, which is why the song feels so genuine to listeners experiencing similar anxieties.
The band is frequently mentioned alongside other significant entities in the genre, including:
- Modern Baseball (known for their Pop Punk/Emo blend)
- The Get Up Kids (pioneers of the genre)
- Michael Cera Palin (Math Rock influence)
- Freethrow
- Graduating Life
- Macseal
- Worst Party Ever
The current viral success of "Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA" is not just a passing trend; it is a powerful cultural moment. It validates the emotional struggles of a generation and reaffirms the enduring relevance of the Midwest Emo genre, proving that sometimes, the most honest and raw anthems are the ones that truly stand the test of time, regardless of how long ago they were released.
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