BEST OF
DARK
SHOEGAZE & DREAMPOP
2023

The tenth album from Russian cosmic post-black metal act Nebula Orionis.

Roaring guitars layered with electronic elements open up a vast inner cosmos, expanding the listener’s psychological space. Vocals that sound as if they are screaming from a hundred meters away evoke the raw spirit of early black metal, adding a sense of distance and severity that perfectly suits the album’s atmosphere.

The debut album from Japanese shoegaze band BLOOD PICK ME.

Built around heavy guitars and infused with industrial elements, the record paints a vision of decadent dystopia. Within the Japanese shoegaze scene, a band this consistently committed to such a dark aesthetic remains a rare presence.

The transition from the uplifting dance-driven “IN SECRET” to the earth-piercing heaviness of “All I Need” stands out as a key highlight, fully showcasing the band’s distinctive character. At present, BLOOD PICK ME appear to focus primarily on studio work, with little information available about the members themselves—leaving listeners hoping for the day when their music can finally be experienced live.

The third EP from nourushi, a Tokyo-based dream pop/shoegaze band.

Building on their previous release, the EP unfolds a mellow sound that absorbs elements of R&B, chillwave, psychedelia, and dream pop, resulting in an ambitious and fluid blend. “Void Replica()” stands out in particular: its melody, reminiscent of a nostalgic lullaby, carries subtle traces of traditional folk music, marking what feels like a new and compelling chapter for the band.

There is something profoundly moving about pairing folk-tinged melancholy with stories set in the future—and this track taps into that emotional vein with striking effectiveness.

The second album from IJdelheid, the musical project of Utrecht, Netherlands–based artist Ruben Wijlacker.

Among its highlights is “Shadows Stretching Out” a standout track that weaves doomgaze-tinged guitars into a lineage of neoclassical and folk influences reminiscent of acts such as Dead Can Dance and Arcana. The album will also strongly appeal to listeners drawn to ambient doomgaze in the vein of Lovesliescrushing.

The debut album from UK solo artist Lydia N’s bedroom shoegaze project, Flora Lux Victoria.

The record unfolds as a lo-fi, dreamy-yet-chaotic shoegaze experience, combining ear-piercing walls of noise with sparkling synths and a sweet, innocent-sounding vocal. The result is a sound that feels both pure and extreme, as if tender, unguarded emotions were being amplified to maximum volume through a Marshall stack.

Tracks also reveal a playful versatility: #6 “Grief Prism” bursts into a sudden blast-beat frenzy, while #8 “Yearner” explores a moody, electropop-inflected dance groove. Despite its melodic touches, the album’s sonic intensity is formidable—comparable to Ulver’s third album—so listeners should approach playback with caution regarding volume.

The third album from German post-metal/blackgaze band Heretoir.

While the combination of blast-beat-driven aggression and ethereal clean vocals follows the core blackgaze framework, the album’s carefully constructed compositions remain engaging even at extended lengths, hinting at a progressive lineage beneath the surface. The inclusion of guest vocalists from Austere and Der Weg einer Freiheit further elevates the release, making it especially irresistible for black metal devotees.

TikTok has become the epicenter of the current shoegaze boom, spawning breakout names like quannnic and Wisp—and Novulent is very much part of that same wave. The project exploded in 2023 with “scars,” a track that has been used in over 200,000 TikTok posts, firmly cementing Novulent’s presence on the platform.

Novulent began writing music at 17, drawing heavy influence from emo rap artists such as XXXTENTACION and Lil Peep, while also being a longtime shoegaze listener. According to a November 3, 2023 interview, the turning point came with “Blinded” (from My Story 2), recorded during a period of personal loss. That track marked the shift toward Novulent’s current shoegaze sound, a change sparked in part by repeated listens to Whirr at the time.

In simple terms, Novulent’s music can be described as melancholic, downer-leaning heavy shoegaze that inherits DNA from Deftones and Whirr. For listeners without much attachment to emo rap, it may initially register as “very TikTok-core,” without an immediately striking sense of individuality. Still, “scars” stands out for its deeply emotional atmosphere, making it easy to understand why it resonated so strongly with a wide audience.

Most tracks clock in at around two minutes—sometimes even less—which can feel underdeveloped, with relatively simple structures. This brevity is common among TikTok-born shoegaze artists; raised on 15-second clips, they often prioritize mood over detailed progression. That said, the lack of dead air between tracks keeps the listening experience focused, and the short runtime makes the release easy to digest in spare moments.

While this may come across as a slightly critical take, there’s no denying that Novulent is now one of the defining figures of the current shoegaze landscape. With attention only continuing to grow, their next moves are well worth watching.

A split release featuring Sadness, the depressive black metal / blackgaze project led by US-based Damian Anton Ojeda, alongside Columbus, Ohio progressive black metal band Vulning.

While much of the material leans into Sadness’ signature style, the track “Cry Enough” stands out as an unexpected turn toward a distinctly American-style modern heavy shoegaze sound. Driven by Ojeda’s trademark anguished melodies and the sharp contrast between screamed and clean vocals, it emerges as one of the most emotionally devastating and tear-inducing tracks in the Sadness catalog. Let the tears flow, headbang with abandon, and fully immerse yourself in its overwhelming sorrow.

The fourth album from Myrkur, the solo project of Danish artist Amalie Bruun.

Named after the Icelandic word for “darkness” Myrkur has earned widespread international acclaim through its distinctive crossover of Nordic folk and black metal. Following a previous release that leaned fully into traditional folk, this album marks a sharp turn—centering on clean vocals and light, pop-oriented songwriting, with black metal elements subtly woven in.

“Mothlike” serves as a prime example: what begins as a buoyant, almost ABBA-like dance tune suddenly shifts into a blizzard of blackgaze. It’s a startling transition, like children playing hand in hand in an open meadow, only for an ice-wielding witch to emerge from the shadows and strike without warning.

The second album from Osaka-based artist The Phantom Films.

While detailed information about the project remains scarce, the record reveals flashes of shoegaze-derived intoxication that are immediately captivating. One standout is “You’ve Got It Wrong” which opens with cool, straightforward rock before abruptly shifting gears—lingering on sticky, prog-influenced fills, then suddenly switching into an ethereal and beautifully immersive passage. Its unconventional structure is something rarely encountered in shoegaze.

With live performances reportedly taking place as well, this is an artist whose work—and stage presence—would be well worth experiencing.