BEST OF
DARK
SHOEGAZE & DREAMPOP
2023

The debut album from Petaling Jaya–based Malaysian solo artist 7mint.

An ambitious release that explores a full-length crossover between drum and bass and shoegaze, intertwining melancholic moods with a futuristic vision. It also sets high expectations for what comes next.

The second album from enigmatic masked New York–based shoegaze artist deer death.

Anchored by grunge-derived noisy guitars and a male vocal steeped in melancholy, the sound is both rugged and deeply decadent, carrying an unexpected strain of romance. There are also traces of classic goth influences, recalling bands such as Type O Negative and Darkseed.

The debut album from Thai blackgaze act My Dark Secret Transcendence.

Their sound is defined by the violent collision of brutality and beauty—an intensity rarely found in Thai pop music. Yet, when the clean vocal passages emerge, they unmistakably retain a distinctly Thai sensibility, creating an intriguing contrast that sets the band apart.

The third album from Shedfromthebody, the solo project of Finnish artist Suvi Savikko.

A dark strain of shoegaze that merges gothic decadence with the crushing weight of doom metal, the album marks a new peak in both sound quality and heaviness. Like a siren’s song echoing across a moonless sea, it ensnares all who encounter it.

A newly re-recorded edition celebrating the 10th anniversary of Tokyo Shoegazer’s second album “turnaround” originally released in 2013.

Happy 10th anniversary. One of my all-time favorite Japanese shoegaze albums has finally returned.

The re-recordings breathe new life into the material, with several tracks featuring subtle yet meaningful arrangement changes. Even if you’ve played the original a million times, there is plenty here to rediscover and enjoy anew.

“Tasogare Perspective” in particular, is breathtaking in this new version. The increased guitar clarity brought by the re-recording elevates it to another level.

I will probably keep saying this until the day I die... “This is the greatest shoegaze song in the world.”

Debut album from Hong Kong post-punk / darkwave band The Crush.

Built on the decadent aesthetics of post-punk and darkwave, the album is flecked with jewel-like arpeggios and bursts of psychedelic noise, giving it a surprisingly broad appeal. It’s a release that should resonate not only with goth devotees, but also with fans of dream pop and shoegaze.

A clear highlight is “On the Train” (#5). Bathed in deep reverb, the track channels the ethereal elegance of Cocteau Twins and Slowdive, elevated further by the exotic allure of vocals sung in their native language. It’s a genuinely hypnotic moment.

If you’re into The KVB, Kælan Mikla, Drab Majesty, or NewDad, this is well worth your time.

With The Crush now set to perform in Japan, dark shoegaze lovers should not miss the opportunity.