Today we're treated to a new track from Montréal's The City Gates. We'd grabbed hold of the EP's first single, "Checkpoint Charlie" as soon as we'd stumbled upon it. Only seconds in, you're treated to an airy, expansive, classic feel. Alternately melodic and abrasive, "Checkpoint Charlie" was a reminder that amazing music is being made right now, that appreciates the genre without simply aping it. These qualities are brought into […]
Though perhaps not yet well-known outside of their native Ventura County, Captions is preparing to roll out hard. A teaser single dropped on their Bandcamp in September of 2015, and caught attention for both breezy melodies and plaintive vocals. It had been understood that this was prelude to forthcoming LP, already 'in the can'. A promising opening, to be sure, but even we weren't prepared for what comes next. Today […]
This month's new release buzz has all been about Nothing and Pity Sex. And there's nowt wrong with that. Both are road warriors who've earned their audience, and their acclaim. May we add to this esteemed group an artist who has spent years honing and sharpening an amazing sound: Dale Humphries' Voices From Deep Below. Their fourth studio LP, This Place Will Raise Up, is woozy, tuneful, and fully anthemic. […]
Tribal drums, guitars that churn and slash. On their fourth EP, Vow, Hermetic Delight meld classic post punk with shoegaze accents, infused with desperate insistence. Due 15 April on October Tone (Musicast Distribution), Hermetic Delight kick it up another notch, demanding your undivided attention. And right from the opening anthem (elegy? processional?) of "War is Closer", you can tell that Vow isn't quite like anything else. Press play and read […]
Oakland’s Night Shapes today graced us with the premiere of their latest single, "Breathe". It's a heady mixture of psych, old-school punk, surf rock and reverb. The track was recorded by front person Jim Morose, then mixed and mastered at Oakland’s Secret Bathroom by engineer Andrew Oswald. [bandcamp width=100% height=42 track=3456347993 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5] Self-described as “four dudes playing rock & roll with delay and stuff,” Night Shapes are influenced […]
We've been following Toronto's Soft Wounds since their first demo EP release, and were lined up in anticipation of the first proper long-player. It's no cookie-cutter shoegaze or dream pop release, as it features some solid songwriting, using genre identifiers only to draw curious listeners into their sonic world. The reverb is warm and generous, the feels are real. [bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=1107649843 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 track=3805504733] "Baby Blue", the […]
Outside of classic Curve, who's ever heard of great shoegaze you can dance to? A Shoreline Dream premieres their upcoming single, "Revolvist", and it may have you disoriented from the opening bars. Shoegaze meets postpunk meets dark, gothy undertones in this propulsive track. Guitar that sounds like a hazy Lycia soundscape meets a Sisters of Mercy (or early Cocteau Twins) bassline, and goth heaven is achieved, without losing sight of […]
What shoegaze / dream pop albums rocked your soul in 2015? It's our 2015 Album of the Year Poll! C'mon, you know you missed it. Each voter gets three votes per person. No EPs or singles are represented in this poll, those will come down later (most likely next week for the EPs). Share your love of great music and vote! Don't let those of lesser taste (or generic indie […]
Crescendo took the West Coast by storm last year with the album Lost Thoughts, anchored by tunes full of optimism and longing. It's been a long wait since then. Personnel changes, one false start and much songwriting later, Crescendo has finally revealed "Repulsor", the first track from Unless, their first album for Italy's respected We Were Never Being Boring label. The same joy, churning and frenetic pace you loved from […]
