Confessional music is a genre of music that emerged in the mid-1990s and is characterized by its emotionally honest lyrics. The term 'confessional music' is often used to describe the style of music associated with the subgenre of emo, which stands for 'emotional hardcore' or 'emotional punk'. Emo music is known for its intense and often personal lyrics, which often deal with topics such as heartbreak, depression, and anxiety.