Shoegaze has become a buzzword in the last decade or so, describing any music with a swirling, surreal, glimmering sound. Starting as a predominantly U.K.based movement that later migrated to the U.S. between the late ‘80s and early‘90s, shoegaze was a term used to describe a musical fixation with the effects pedals and a despondent, detached style of performance. At its core, though, shoegaze is a genre that melds noise and ethereal elements, condensing them into melodic pop music. Songs typically involve dense, heavily layered guitar work that builds up into a wall of a dissonant feedback. Add some additional droning instrumentation and a wave of melancholic vocals that make you want to stare at your feet (or pedalboard), and you’ve got a great shoegaze track.
Those who detract from the genre can diminish it as just a bunch of noise. Plus, it can be hard to connect with performers who don’t make eye-contact with audience members. Still, shoegaze’s defining factor is its ability to blend together different textures of sound, vocals and instrumentation. For those listeners who may not typically like this kind of music, we’ve put together of list of shoegaze albums to help ease the exploration of such a stacked sound, including some seminal albums and a few contemporary ones that are easier to digest.
1. Blonde Redhead, 23
New York City art-rock band Blonde Redhead has always been effortlessly cool with its sound. But on 23, the group’s seventh album, Blond Redhead perfectly captures moody, angst-filled shoegaze. From its opening track, 23 creates ornamental whirls of sounds, polished through great songwriting and melancholic vocals, evoking the come-down after an anxiety-ridden late-night drive. With its dissonant guitars, layered keyboard and jittery percussion, the album serves as a great homage to the shoegaze genre.
2. Chapterhouse, Whirlpool
Chapterhouse’s Whirlpool is an album the could have only come out in the early 1990s, with its melodies, rhythms and overall brooding tone. The opening track “Breather” is an energetic compilation of intense guitar riffs, drum rolls and cymbals crashes, which contrasts with Andrew Sherriff’s soft, dreamy vocals. The band’s alternatingly loud/quiet approach to songwriting on this album makes for a compelling listen that has strongly stood the test of time.
3. Slowdive, Souvlaki
Slowdive’s sophomore album is that rare release that not only preserves the same great qualities of a solid debut (1991’s Just for a Day), but also avoids a repeat of sound and texture. Neil Halstead and Rachel Goswell’s ephemeral vocals shine in songs like “When Sun Hits,” which layers lush guitars with subdued, breathy singing and “Dagger,” which is a more straightforward arrangement in sound, but accentuated with a whispery intensity. Also notable on Souvlaki, Brian Eno is a collaborator.
4. The Black Ryder, Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride
The Black Ryder is an Australian duo consisting of Aimee Nash and Scott Von Ryper that mastered the ability to intertwine the sounds of ‘80s British synthpop and electronic rock. The band’s debut takes a dark, sultry approach to shoegaze with sprawling layers of droning, blissed-out guitars and ethereal vocals, creating a kaleidoscopic sound. From its opening track, “To Never Know You,” the album brings new textures and contrasts them with layers of emotive and majestic guitar riffs that are accompanied by brooding lyrics. The songs swirl together in a way that’s intended to be listened to as one overwhelming ride. It’s a long and intimate one, at that.
5. The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Methodrone
Over the course of the past 30 years, the Brian Jonestown Massacre has survived a tumultuous career. Since the 2004 documentary Dig!, which highlighted the developing careers and love-hate relationship of BJM and The Dandy Warhols, frontman/songwriter Anton Newcombe’s drug use and uproarious personality has preceded the band’s musical reputation. Yet, BJM’s debut album Methodrone set the precedent for a career filled with consistent jangle pop songs. Methodrone is comprised of mournful shoegaze melodies (with accompanying dead-eyed harmonies) and psychedelic sprawl that’s resonant for decades.