The Impact & Influence Of Shoegaze
Humble beginnings
Known for building cosmic, almost neo-psychedelic walls of celestial sound, shoegaze is a subgenre of indie and alternative rock that emerged in the UK in the 1980s. Shoegaze is often referred to as “dream pop,” but with more guitar elements.
The British press described this style of music as “shoegazing” because at shows, artists would perform with their heads down, staring focused at the guitar pedals (which were used heavily) in order to perfect their sound. These guitar and distortion techniques led to shoegaze being referred to essentially as dream pop with heavy guitar elements.
The employment of obscured vocals, guitar distortion, feedback, and loud noise serves to create a dreamy and ethereal atmosphere in which instruments can hardly be distinguished from one another. The lyrics typically associated with the genre are very anti-pop and introspective, with deep melodies, swirling reverb and distortion causing them to blend in flawlessly with the instruments.
Unfortunately, the spiked relevance of Britpop and grunge music in America shoved many shoegaze bands to the side in the late 90s. However, shoegaze has recently reemerged (with more pop elements) through bedroom pop and Dream Pop, where DIY artists like Clairo, psych-rock artists like Tame Impala, and dream-pop duo Beach House seek to achieve the same musical atmospheres the pioneering bands achieved.
The Early Pioneering of My Bloody Valentine
The exact origin of shoegaze is up for debate, but many believe that the genre is epitomized in the band My Bloody Valentine, specifically their album “Loveless”. Known for its revolutionary use of glide guitar and as one of the first known albums that incorporates the prototypical shoegaze elements.
My Bloody Valentine first formed in 1983 in Dublin, Ireland. After signing to Creation Records, they released three EPs and two albums, the latter of which are named “Isn’t Anything” and once again, the highly acclaimed “Loveless”.
Loveless as previously mentioned, was extremely influential and iconic for specifically the shoegaze genre and is widely thought to be MBV’s magnum opus. The dissonant guitar textures, layered and distorted vocals, and unusual production methods were unlike anything previously seen before.
Loveless was released in the era of incredibly commercially successful bands such as Pearl Jam and Nirvana, and as a result, it struggled to break through and earn recognition. However, Loveless was utterly groundbreaking, a masterpiece of swollen noise and abstract loops that somehow combined elements pop, punk, and rock while remaining its own entity of uniqueness and originality.
The album’s opening track, “Only Shallow”, flawlessly fluctuates between powerful guitar riffs and calm ambiance, walking a tightrope between bliss and terror. All of this layered over soft, hypnotic vocals, which were purposely mixed low to contribute to the ethereal atmosphere of the album.
This song epitomizes both the vocal and production techniques most often used by My Bloody Valentine. Additionally, it revolutionized the use of “glide guitar.”
The importance of Slowdive
Slowdive is another infamous shoegaze band, formed in England in 1989. The band has four members, the majority of whom met in high school: Rachel Goswell on vocals and guitar, Neil Halstead on vocals and guitar, Nick Chaplin on bass, and Christian Savill on guitar.
Slowdive has three albums: “Just For A Day,” “Souvlaki,” “Pygmalion,” and, “Slowdive,” which was a remaster of an old EP.
After the formation of the band and a few shaky demos, Slowdive signed to Creation Records and released their self-titled EP, which received widespread critical acclaim.
Following the EP was “Just For A Day,” which, as stated by the band members, was the result of many drug-induced studio sessions and a desire to forge their way through the path of abrasive guitar and abstract music set by shoegaze bands before them.
Next for Slowdive was “Souvlaki”, a masterpiece and one-of-a-kind listening experience of an album following the breakup of Goswell and Halstead. In a documentary done by Pitchfork on the creation of “Souvlaki,” Halstead speaks of the weeks that he spent isolated in a cabin in the Irish countryside. As a result of the writing he did during his self-exile, the songs on “Souvlaki” are very emotionally-driven and dense with the woes of a deteriorating love.
The Influence of Cocteau Twins
Another early example of essential shoegaze artists is Cocteau Twins, a Scottish band formed in the late 70s. The Cocteau Twins are most well known for their classic ethereal, dreamy sound, and the soprano vocals from Elizabeth Fraser, whose lyrics are often difficult to comprehend by design.
These vocals characterize their sound, along with simple guitar melodies and captivating bass lines. They released a plethora of albums and EPs, but “Heaven Or Las Vegas” is widely thought to be their most successful.
The album is a technicolor explosion of supersaturated instrumentation and melting guitar chords that act as a backdrop for Fraser’s vocal acrobatics. “Heaven Or Las Vegas” is compact and accessible while still maintaining its dignity and artistry.
These traditional shoegaze elements of soft, low mixed, distorted vocals have crept their way into many modern DIY artists, such as Beach House and Beabadoobee. The ethereal synthesizers and psychedelic, the overpowering guitar that is so characteristic of shoegaze are also evident in the music of psychedelic pop-rock bands such as Tame Impala.
Early shoegaze artists pioneered the genre to become one of the most influential, with artists still often speaking of their impact. Bands such as My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Cocteau Twins, and many more pioneered its movement- all with the aid of guitar gliders, pedals, and carefully obscured vocals. And, like all musical genres, it will continue to shift and mold with time.
Article Written by Sydney Willis
