Writing about things that do and don't exit
Signals and Alibis are an electro/shoegaze trio from Fort Worth, TX, who recently released an EP called Aislada. "Glitch," the EP's opening track, combines the supercharged whomp of groups like CHVRCHES with the menacing, atmospheric textures of post-punk. Vocalist Rebecca Jozwiak's urgings to "take back control," and to "face the stars/as you stand before your … Continue reading Stare At Your Shoes-Signals and Alibis-Glitch
Old Soul Dies Young is a shoegaze/dream-pop outfit out of Denver, Colorado, self-described as an "anime love story without a happy ending." The group's new EP, Yandere, is a six-song whirlwind of emotions, vacillating between lovestruck rapture and suicidal despair. "Yuno," the EP's closing track, splits the difference, closing the journey with a sense of … Continue reading Stare At Your Shoes-Old Soul Dies Young-Yuno
Edgar Allen Poe's satirical short story, "Mellonta Tauta," begins with the line, "Now, my dear friend--now, for your sins, you are to suffer the infliction of a long gossiping letter." For our sins, underrated Argentinian group Mellonta Tauta inflicts upon us pillowy dream-pop with the flanger turned up to 11. A welcome "punishment" for any … Continue reading Stare At Your Shoes-Mellonta Tauta-Estrella
Lowtide are an Australian indie band whose hooky songs are drenched in gallons upon gallons of reverb. "Held" is a track from their 2014 self-titled album, and features absurdly catchy vocal melodies bandied back and forth by Lucy Buckeridge and Giles Simon. Despite the euphoric rush of the music, the lyrics hint at some kind … Continue reading Stare At Your Shoes-Lowtide-Held
Lorelle Meets The Obsolete is a garage-psych duo from Guadalajara, Mexico, comprising Lorena Quintanilla (aka Lorelle) and Alberto Gonzolez (aka The Obsolete). "The myth of the wise" is dusty, hazed-out track from the band's 2014 album Chambers. Even without listening to the song, you can probably get a decent idea of its sound by looking … Continue reading Stare At Your Shoes-Lorelle Meets The Obsolete-The myth of the wise
Electro Group are a noise pop trio from Sacramento, CA; "Bikini States" is a track from their 2007 album Good Technology. I opened this song up in Spotify and let it play for 56 seconds; I then opened it up in Youtube to copy and share the link and ended up letting it play there … Continue reading Stare At Your Shoes-Electro Group-Bikini States
Isobella were a shoegaze group that formed in Tampa, FL in the late 90's; the band's frosty ballads, imbued with a stately sense of grandeur, do not reflect their subtropical origins. One such ballad, "Olive" is the opener to Isobella's 2001 release, A 24 Syllable Haiku. Haikus usually have 17 syllables total (5, 7, 5), … Continue reading Stare At Your Shoes-Isobella-Olive
Echo Lake is a four-piece indie outfit from London, active since 2010. "Waves" from the band's 2015 album Era, charges forward for six and a half minutes on the strength of brawny guitar and driving drums. Thom Hill's production flourishes include organ-like synth tones and dissonant walls of sound that come crashing through like a … Continue reading Stare At Your Shoes-Echo Lake-Waves
The Stargazer Lilies are a Pennsylvania shoegaze duo comprising Kim Field and John Ceparano, both formerly of the band Soundpool. Their 2016 album Door To The Sun is opened by "Golden Key" (pun semi-intended), a languid, drifting ballad featuring two layers of guitar, one earthily acoustic and the other plied with enough effects to make … Continue reading Stare At Your Shoes-The Stargazer Lilies-Golden Key
Chasms is a Los Angeles-based duo that makes echoey, industrial shoegaze. "More Love To Be Found," the opener from 2016's On The Legs Of Love Purified, is one of their driftier numbers, featuring expansive, ringing sheets of guitar and Jess Labrador's wordless, angelic vocals, which spiral through the tempest like light glinting behind a thunderhead. … Continue reading Stare At Your Shoes-Chasms-More Love To Be Found
Bored In Pittsburgh 