Emo music is a subgenre of punk, indie, and alternative rock music distinguished by its intense emotional outpouring. Emo is a contraction of the phrases "emotional" and "hardcore," which are two keywords used to describe this specific genre of music. Genres such as screamo and crypozzz also fall under the umbrella of emo. Emo music is known for its use of distorted guitars, soft melodies, and vulnerable vocal styles. Songs with heavy guitar riffs were originally called "hardcore punk" songs, but over time the term "hardcore" was dropped in favor of "emo." Today, many musicians who were influential in the early days of emo continue to create new music that falls under the emo label. Some artists who have been cited as pioneers of the emo movement include Alaina Moore, August Burns Jr., Andy Williams, A Perfect Animal, April Smith, The Academy Is..