REVIEW

The debut album from Las Vegas–based darkwave/shoegaze trio past self captures the band at an earlier creative phase, prior to their current embrace of “k-goth” (Korean gothic) aesthetics and Korean-language lyrics. At this point, all lyrics are delivered in English, and the overall approach feels notably different—both stylistically and atmospherically—from their later output.

Rooted in post-punk and darkwave, the album places a strong emphasis on dreamy, reverb-laden guitars, resulting in a sound that can be loosely described as a blend of The Cure and early-era DIIV. The guitars are given ample space to shimmer and drift, shaping a mood that leans heavily toward shoegaze and dream pop.

One of the standout moments arrives early with “Widowed Summer, I Sink- past self.” Here, romantic vocals float above guitars that ripple like gentle waves, carrying a quiet but persistent sense of sorrow. On “Myoclonic Fall,” the languid, slightly weary vocal delivery suggests a clear reverence for Robert Smith, adding another layer of melancholic charm. Later, “Glum” introduces a haze of blurred-out noise, evoking what might be imagined as a shoegaze reinterpretation of The Cure’s “Fascination Street,” and leaving a distinctly emotional impression.

Taken as a whole, the album can be cited as one of the more compelling examples of gothic and shoegaze fusion, achieved with a level of balance that feels both deliberate and immersive. Compared to the band’s subsequent releases, this debut leans more heavily toward shoegaze and dream pop, making it an accessible entry point even for listeners who may not typically gravitate toward gothic music.