BEST OF
DARK
SHOEGAZE & DREAMPOP
2024

First album from Denver, Colorado-based slowgaze band Fainting Dreams.

The smoky guitars and viscous beats create a mesmerizing haze, perfectly complemented by the otherworldly, exotic voice of the female vocalist. She seamlessly alternates between mystical, prayer-like singing and snarling screams, infusing tension into the languid tempos. Once you start listening, be warned—you may find yourself trapped in a bottomless sonic swamp. Best enjoyed with a drink in hand, nodding along with glazed eyes.

Standout tracks range from #1 “Those Left Untouched by the Light”, whose vocals evoke Dead Can Dance and open a gateway to another realm, to the 10+ minute heavy doomgaze of #6 “Distillate”.

Fans of dark, ritualistic doomgaze and post-metal like Leonov or Sinistro will find this a must-hear. Those who enjoy psychedelic doom or stoner-leaning sounds will also find much to savor.

Debut album from Irish indie rock band NewDad.

Their dreamy sound, hinted at in two previous EPs, blossoms here with a darker sensibility. Shades of gothic forebears such as Cocteau Twins, The Cure, and Siouxsie and the Banshees emerge, creating a subtly moody and captivating atmosphere.

Dream pop, shoegaze, and gothic have long shared common roots, making this crossover feel natural rather than groundbreaking. Still, judging by the warm reception from indie fans, this release may well ignite the next chapter in the shoegaze × gothic lineage.

Their cover of The Cure – Just Like Heaven, available on YouTube, is also highly recommended.

Second album from Tokyo-based shoegaze band CIGARETTE in your bed.

Created as a three-piece—Kazuya Saijo (Gt/Vo), Chihirö (Ba), and Joseph (Dr)—the album is presented under the band’s self-coined tag “Heelgaze.” It showcases a striking duality: crushingly dense, noisy guitars on one side, and deep shoegaze intoxication on the other, all delivered with a weight that belies the trio format.

Their sound feels like having your skull ground down while sweet nectar is injected directly into your brain—a style that remains exceptionally rare within the Japanese scene.

If you are looking for something more stimulating than mere beauty, this album comes highly recommended.

Fourth album from TikTok-born shoegaze breakout Novulent.

‍Following VOL.1, the project continues to explore heavy, melancholic shoegaze, but with noticeably stronger individuality from track to track.

The darkness is pushed further on “Soul Eater” (#2), while “Inner Peace” (#4) brings a sense of momentum with its more uptempo drive. On “Stare” (#7), a collaboration with emo / breakcore artist Emma Aibara, Novulent unveils a surprisingly light and kinetic take on drum’n’gaze.

The expanded range of sounds signals rapid artistic growth. Vocals that once stayed relentlessly downcast now show more emotional dynamics, adding welcome depth. If this trajectory continues, the next release should be well worth watching.

‍

A compilation of early tracks from the mysterious masked NY-based shoegaze artist deer death.

Some tracks have been remastered, but the raw, noisy charm of the originals remains the real appeal—so don’t sweat the sound quality too much.

It’s simply a joy to have these scattered releases gathered in one place. Even more rewarding is seeing that the artist’s style has remained completely consistent from the start.

A true purveyor of melancholy, we hope deer death continues to thrive for years to come. With new singles dropping roughly once a week, it wouldn’t be surprising if a full-length album arrives before the year is out.

A split album from Japanese experimental bands Boris and Coalar of the Deepers.

This collaboration, which grew out of their 2022 joint performance, features an unusual structure: each band performs self-covers and also covers a track requested by the other. Boris requested “Kuroneko Melody,” while Coalar of the Deepers requested “Serial Tear.”

Coalar of the Deepers’ take on “Kuroneko Melody” sharpens the original sound, highlighting NARASAKI’s innocent vocal delivery, whereas Boris’ version of “Serial Tear” unfolds at a slow tempo, delivering a high-viscosity heaviness that seems to shake the earth, capped off with audacious blast beats. Both interpretations respect the original compositions while allowing each band’s distinct personality to shine—Boris’ rendition, in particular, fully immerses the listener in their own sonic domain.

Self-covers also reveal fresh nuances, with the blackgaze-tinged “Luna” standing out as a must-listen. Coalar of the Deepers’ audacious reinterpretation of The Cure in a death-metal context further demonstrates their consistently unconventional approach.

3rd album from Twin Tribes, the darkwave/post-punk duo from Texas.

Known widely among goth enthusiasts, Twin Tribes is also worth featuring on a dream-pop/shoegaze-focused site thanks to one of their key weapons: guitar tones that sparkle like jewels. The shimmering riffs recall early DIIV, and with the addition of glistening synths, the overall sound practically glows like a disco ball.

The band cites The Cure’s "Seventeen Seconds" and Ministry’s "With Sympathy" as major influences, which explains the balance of goth weight and melodic brilliance.

While their core remains firmly rooted in darkwave/post-punk, Twin Tribes shines just as brightly as peers like Drab Majesty and House of Harm, proving they deserve a spot in the dream-pop/shoegaze conversation. Some listeners accustomed to whispery vocals in shoegaze may find low, brooding goth vocals challenging, but here Luis Navarro sings more melodically than ever. #7 "Cauldron of Thorns" showcases particularly emotional delivery, which is especially striking considering Luis mentioned this was his first attempt at higher-register singing.

Compared to the darker, more post-punk-focused previous album, this release leans further into electronics, with expanded synth layers, making it a great pick for fans of Dais Records. As an entry point into Twin Tribes—and darkwave more broadly—this album is highly recommended.

Reports suggest darkwave is trending internationally, yet in Japan it’s largely under the radar. I hope to help bridge that gap and elevate the scene. Someday, a festival uniting international and Japanese darkwave acts would be a dream come true. Fans who share this vision should consider backing HANDS AND MOMENT, the team that brought the miraculous Drab Majesty Japan shows, starting with selling out the September ZACK ZACK ZACK tour.

Debut album from US-based shoegaze artist twinotter.
(Note: the only source for their hometown is SoundCloud, so this is unconfirmed.)

Primarily instrumental, the album features icy, sparkling guitars that feel like diamond dust. I especially love "Listen To Your Heart", which begins with a romantic intro featuring a scene from the anime Horimiya before erupting into roaring, heavy guitars. The references are delightfully niche, which is a plus for otaku ears.

twinotter’s Spotify playlists also include Japanese bands like Tokenai Namae, Yuragi, Tokyo Shogazer, Seventeen Years Old And Berlin Wall, and Cruyff in the Bedroom. Coupled with a profile icon of Shinji Ikari, it’s clear they have a deep appreciation for Japanese culture.

The curious name twinotter only adds to the intrigue. Their collaboration with the neverminds, the single "the snow will catch us once again", is also fantastic and highly recommended.

Debut EP from San Diego–based shoegaze band bloomcells.

The quartet—Rory (Vo/Gt), Danny (Vo/Gt), Brett (Ba), and Reggie (Dr)—cite a wide-ranging set of influences, from heavyweights like Deftones, Tool, Alice in Chains, and System of a Down to shoegaze and dream pop staples such as My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive. The result is a sound that appears to merge weight and beauty with ease, placing them squarely within what is often described as the current wave of “nu-gaze.”

What makes the band particularly intriguing, however, is the contrast between the wall of distorted guitars and the sweet, floating vocals drifting above it. In those moments, subtle traces of gothic sensibilities—reminiscent of acts like Type O Negative or HIM—seem to surface, adding another layer of depth to the mix.

The real talking point arrives at track #4. After an intro built on a brooding guitar riff, a strangely familiar line emerges—“And you don’t seem to understand…”—revealing itself as an unexpected cover of “Duvet,” the opening theme from the cult 1998 sci-fi anime serial experiments lain. Originally performed by bôa as a delicate and stylish piece, the song is transformed here into a crushing heavy shoegaze anthem, with its inherent melancholy amplified severalfold.

The middle section deserves special mention: the band reins in the heaviness to recreate the song’s most fragile passage, led by shimmering arpeggios and keyboards. This careful restraint suggests a clear sense of respect for the original. While the decision to wrap up the final chorus after a single pass—following the iconic “AHHH” vocal line—may feel understated, it ultimately reinforces the song’s sense of loneliness, making the arrangement feel quietly effective rather than abrupt.

Among the many versions of “Duvet” that have circulated over the years, this stands out as one of the most compelling reinterpretations. For listeners in the mood to indulge in a bit of casual melancholy, it is an easy recommendation.

Overall, the songwriting quality across the EP is strong, though the production leaves some room for improvement. The relatively low overall volume can feel underpowered, even at higher listening levels. That said, the issue appears to have been addressed on the more recent single “Decoyed,” released in September, which suggests noticeable progress on the production front. With that in mind, this debut earns its place as a promising newcomer release, hinting at even greater potential in what comes next.

A collaborative release between mysterious New York–based masked shoegaze artist deer death and Nextime.

The two share such similar musical sensibilities that I personally can’t tell who’s doing what. Still, deer death’s signature noisy guitars and melancholic touch remain fully intact.

I’m particularly drawn to “Crawl”, which carries an unusually delicate and ephemeral mood. After all, even men deserve a good quiet cry sometimes.