Playlist: Intro to Shoegaze

March 29, 2015 243 2

Shoegaze is a genre that emerged from the UK in the late 1980s. It is characterized by heavy guitar distortion via effects pedals, soft vocals, and a “wall of sound”, creating an overwhelming, yet lush soundscape. It vanished into the 90s before experiencing a recent revival in the early 2010s, with bands such as Whirr and Ringo Deathstarr modernizing the genre.

I love shoegaze because it has such a distinct, dreamy feeling to it. It is warm, visceral and emotional. Even if you have never heard a particular song before, it sounds familiar. When mixed with other genres, it’s a sure-fire way to create an interesting vibe in a song.

Here is my playlist of recommended shoegaze songs. Some of these songs are not straight-laced shoegaze, but the influence is strongly felt. Enjoy.