Blue Rev by Alvvays
Blue Rev
Alvvays
2002
This album is like My Bloody Valentine and The Smiths found a new lead singer and released a compilation album together. It’s exciting to find new artists still playing with shoegaze because it’s a genre I feel deserving of more exploration.
Recommended Track: Pressed
Bewitched by Laufey
Bewitched
Laufey
2023
Laufey’s popularity gives me faith that pop won’t drown into a sea of screaming melisma. Her songs are a magical concoction of dreamy and self-assured jazz that draws you into a wonderful sonic hug.
Recommended Track: From The Start
Erotica by The Darling Buds
Erotica
The Darling Buds
1992
Low-end distorted guitars, heartbeat bass, and strong drum flairs; the 1990’s is strong with this one. Everything about this album sounds like my youth. Another excellent Welsh band for my collection.
Recommended Track: Please Yourself
So I Married An Axe Murderer OST by Various Artists
So I Married An Axe Murderer OST
Various Artists
1993
I would love to know how many times I’ve listened to this soundtrack over my lifetime because the number has to be insanely high. With that many listens, I’ve lost all objectivity to this early 1990’s alt-rock treasure box.
Recommended Track: Long Day In The Universe
DSVII by M83
DSVII
M83
2019
I think of this album as M83 providing the soundtrack to one of my Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. An instrumental album filled with both grand, exploratory wonder and intensely intimate moments. Similar to the music of Mort Garson, M83 wants his synths to move you beyond nostalgia.
Recommended Track: Feelings
Second Toughest In The Infants by Underworld
Second Toughest In The Infants
Underworld
1996
When machines are in motion, they emit all kinds of clicks, whirrs, and whistle noises. Underworld’s music sounds like those noises but for human thought. You’ve probably heard the big hits from this album but I invite you to hear them in context with their surrounding tracks.
Recommended Track: Cherry Pie
Whiteout Conditions by The New Pornographers
Whiteout Conditions
The New Pornographers
2017
A prime example of contrasting musicians making stronger music together than on their own. This album has all the fun and drive of power-pop but with the sensibilities of other musical genres bursting from the seams. Neko Case and Kathryn Calder singing in harmony is my ASMR.
Track recommendation: Whiteout Conditions
Bankrupt! by Phoenix
Bankrupt!
Phoenix
2013
My favorite Phoenix album to revisit. I have to admit that it is one of those albums I’ve listened to so frequently that all my objectivity is lost and its sounds live in my bones now.
Track recommendation: Entertainment
Black Halo by Hybrid
Black Halo
Hybrid
2021
I enjoy pretty much every Hybrid album and this one is no exception. Their albums are soundtracks, even when they don’t actually have a media property attached, full of epic soundscapes for me to imagine my own plots. (I’m someone who ignores lyrics as much as possible.)
Track recommendation: Seven Days
About U by MUNA
About U
MUNA
2017
The yearning vocals and driving synth on the opening track instantly grabbed the undying teenager inside of me and pulled him along a whirlwind of hormones and self-doubt. This album is a year of high school translated into music.
Track recommendation: So Special
Hearts by Blackbird Blackbird
Hearts
Blackbird Blackbird
2019
Soft 90’s synths and the courage to mix instrumental and vocal tracks into the same album. It has become a chill and happy weekend companion for me.
Track recommendation: Hearts
Thrills by Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire, Andrew Bird
Thrills
Andrew Bird’s Bowl Of Fire, Andrew Bird
1998
It’s no surprise that I love this album as Andrew Bird was part of making the Squirrel Nut Zippers, easily my favorite band of all time, a success. An intoxicating mix or jazz, folk, and pure joy.
Track recommendation: Glass Figurine
Lost Souls by Doves
Lost Souls
Doves
2000
One of my favorite things about shoegaze is not having to pay attention to lyrics. The sounds of this album are a big, warm hug like traveling through a foreign country where you don’t know the language. The impression is more important than the text.
Track recommendation: Catch The Sun
Tear It Down by My Brightest Diamond
Tear It Down
My Brightest Diamond
2007
I’m usually shy about remix albums but there is so much great artistry at work here. If you’re struggling with unhappy emotions, Shara Nova’s beautiful voice will travel with you through the dark.
Track recommendation: Golden Star - Alias
Here Is Everything by The Big Moon
Here Is Everything
The Big Moon
2022
These are the sounds of life’s unstoppable movements changing everything around you. You can’t stop them so turn to face them as bravely as you can and stand fast in your refusal to be crushed.
Track recommendation: 2 Lines
The Big Roar by The Joy Formidable
The Big Roar
The Joy Formidable
2011
An intense explosion of joy escaping from gritted teeth. This is for you who turned down drugs at the music festival to be fully bombarded by the sounds the band played just for you and you will go home having met a part of you that you didn’t know existed before that day.
Track recommendation: Whirring
Puppy by Fluke
Puppy
Fluke
2003
This album picks me up, takes me into light speed, and never lets me fall. Its smooth beats continually slipping the listener across space and time.
Track recommendation: Another Kind of Blues
Blue Weekend by Wolf Alice
Blue Weekend
Wolf Alice
2021
If I were a professional reviewer, I would list the multitude of genres and influences each track on this album shape-shifts between. I would also point out its “hot single” but that would be like recommending a random chapter in a book. This whole album is a voyage that rewards you listening to its entirety.
Track recommendation: The whole damn album
Past Is Prologue by Tycho
Past Is Prologue
Tycho
2006
Tycho is the sound of a relaxing weekend; of golden sunlight shining through the windows with an accompanying cool breeze. This is focus music that I don’t ignore.
Track recommendation: Send and Receive
Lullabies For Adults by Youth Valley
Lullabies For Adults
Youth Valley
2023
This won’t be everybody’s cup of tea but this album was a real winner with me. The singer vacillates between The Smiths and Depeche Mode while the music is all 1990’s shoegaze.
Track recommendation: Father Forgets