Shoegaze continues to be one of the most poorly used descriptors in music journalism, its a hill I am willing to die on. Mostly, any vague sense of pedal usage, MBV or Slowdive influence (now Hum and Deftones count too?), its called SHOEGAZE. But most of the time its closer to dreamy slowcore or dreamy alt rock, which is FINE,if that gets you off. Shoegaze for me, is just incarnation of punks discovering pedals and psychedelics, but still trying to write a fucking tune. And it wasnt entrenched in masculinity, it was very coed, and that's a huge reason I loved it! Theres weird elements to the "shoegaze" scene that isn5 connected to indie or punk.....thats a whole different thing, and i never really liked the people i met from that world, they didnt swt up shows, passive aggressive jealousy and idk, just weird vibes. There are bands here you could easily make argument they arent shoegaze but idc your wrong. So here's my list :
Blue Smiley - Return
Sadly, this bands abrupt end was due to main person behind the project passing away, and was a huge loss for his friends and family but also a huge loss for us music listeners because by all accounts they were just getting started, and on their second tape they knock it WAY out of the park. I cant think of a band with a more recognizable guitar tone, and hella catchy tunes. This one should be repressed and lifted UP.
https://bluesmiley.bandcamp.com/
No Joy - Wait to Pleasure
No Joy for some insane reason continues to be slept on by shoegaze fans and just indie rock fans alike. With "Wait to Pleasure" they wrote for my money, the best modern shoegaze LP to beat. Around this time also, they were AMAZING live, pummelled me when I saw them in DC.
https://nojoy.bandcamp.com/album/wait-to-pleasure
Big Hush - Who's Smoking Your Spirit/Wholes LP
I literally dedicated a whole blog post to this band, go find it
bighush.bandcamp.com/music
Technicolor Teeth - Discography
Another underrated band that has since broken up, Technicolor Teeth were buddies of mine, and the band next to Big Hush that pushed me creatively during my Wildhoney days. We played with these doods 3 times, and each time was better than the last, pummeling punk mixed with MBVs bending guitars and pop hooks. It reallllllly sucks they never put out the second record they were writing, I'm sure it would have been a modern masterpiece.
https://technicolorteeth.bandcamp.com/music
Smut - End of Sam-Soon
This record is perfect mixed of youthful angst, MBV and Sonic Youth, hailing from Cincinnati, OH and now Chicago? Ive seen this band grow from an almost no wave punk band to these excellent songwriters with a great ear for tones and melody. I cannot recommend this LP enough, perfect for anytime, but especially driving a night.
https://smutonline.bandcamp.com/album/end-of-sam-soon
Barlow - In A Stranger's Car
These phreaks are from Erie,PA and they are true lofi diy weirdos who happen to write some of the catchiest shoegaze songs youll hear. They have a huge discography and imo best place to start is linked below. They in my mind continue they experimental ethos of shoegaze alive, and are just fantastic.
https://barlow.bandcamp.com/album/in-a-strangers-car
Hotline TNT - Discography
I don't know how Hotline TNT would feel about me calling them a shoegaze band but they fit the bill, warped guitars bending every which way, punk urgency and ear worms that you'll hum all day. Its absurd this band isnt bigger, and its a shame they didnt get to do those Snail Mail dates cuz that would have opened them up to a whole different world of people. Their discography imo is so far flawless.
Mo Dotti - Blurring
First post I ever did was on this band cuz they rule.
https://mo-dotti.bandcamp.com/
Also, to be an asshole, my old band Wildhoney was a pretty good shoegaze band, until we got to soft.
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