REVIEW

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.