I’m completely enthralled by the band Slow Crush. Their style of shoegaze has struck the right chord with me. The way they mix the heaviness with the dreamy is stellar. More bands that are in this style should take note of how Slow Crush makes those dynamics work. If you haven’t already, I highly suggest you listen to their album, Thirst, it’s truly a modern masterpiece and a blueprint for modern shoegaze. Today though, Slow Crush released 2 new songs called “Que Du Noir / Hallowed” and it’s been on repeat all morning and will be throughout the rest of the day and week. The songs are dreamy and full of lush soundscapes and textures that makes you feel like you are swimming. The lyrics are quite deep but feel alive at the end. These new songs have a fun aspect to them with one song with one sung in english and the other in french. Both of them are stunning with the one in french being a tinge more mystical. Slow Crush starts a US tour this week. Be sure to catch them if you can. I know I’m going to try to! Enjoy!
What is going on with shoegaze these days? When did this subgenre become such a phenomenon? I’ve been trying to find the point of origin and it’s quite complex. Instead of trying to figure out all that at the moment, why not just enjoy the best of what’s out there. The ones that have really left a mark on me have done just that. These select bands and albums have not just found their way into constant rotation, they’ve separated themselves from the pack well enough to make a lasting impression on the genre and era. Trauma Ray is one of those bands and their latest release, the EP, Carnival, absolutely cements that.
Carnival is one of those perfect EP’s that is a burst of creativity. By opening up the writing to be more collaborative, the vast expansive inspiration is aplenty here. This unlocked a whole other world for the band to travel in. What’s interesting too is these influences are cast without biting off a duplicate rendition. If you’ve heard the bands debut, Chameleon, you can definitely hear the wings stretching here. In a way it reminds me of the band Brand New and how the more open collaboration made the band even better. What Carnival does across five songs and twenty five minutes makes you fall into a trance of lush soundscapes, dreamy vocals, riffs and melodies that caress the delicate and at times intense rhythms. The use of not just shoegaze aspects is another treat. Like many of the other great bands of this genre, there is more to Trauma Ray. Other sounds and styles like metal, alternative, sludge, doom, grunge, ambience all play a part in making this one stand out release. Each song takes on a bit of a life of its own with the way the influences shine.
It’s very refreshing to hear a band like Trauma Ray taking the sum of their parts and realizing making a record that not only showcases the individual effort but pushes the band forward into making great music. Carnival is for sure a ride and one worth riding over and over again.
When a genre explodes, finding the standouts becomes imperative. Over the last few years “shoegaze” has come to the forefront of modern music. Depending on what subgenre of shoegaze you listen to shows you where the inspiration comes from. Deftones and The Smashing Pumpkins in particular have struck a chord with the younger generation. That being said let me shift this to the other side of the equation. Through all my listening and searching I believe I found one of the best albums of this new era of shoegaze. The band is Slow Crush and their album, Thirst is astounding.
Slow Crush’s album Thirst is haunting, seductive, heavy, whimsical and more. Every time I put this album on I’m completely swept away by the intensity. Across ten songs and forty minutes there isn’t one moment on this album that doesn’t fit. As much as this album is shoegaze focused, there is so much more to it. First there is an undercurrent of Black Metal running through the album. There are also elements of stoner rock, alternative rock and dream pop. Sonically, Thirst is explosive, etherial and atmospheric. The vocals will sweep you off your feet and take you on a trippy journey. They crawl under your skin and give you those chills that make you pay attention. Musically too, the intricate web of layers showcases the varied influences of the band. Being able to pull in heaviness into delicate structures is not an easy thing to do. While certain moments are crushing, the more airy ones are what captivates. The hypnotic nature of the songs and production is another part that makes Thirst such a masterful album.
For each listen, you find something new to love and discover. One of my favorite parts of this album is the ending of the second song “Covet.” The use of saxophone at the end of this song is sublime. What a great part and addition to the song. It feels like a David Bowie moment that fits perfectly. It’s almost like the band steps into another world with each song. As a listener it’s rather liberating to hear an album like this. It’s not everyday you get to hear an album that ups the game of a genre. Slow Crush have defined their sound and style with Thirst. Do yourself a favor and take some time with this album and let it take over!
2026 has already been a strange year. The world may be falling apart but, the music keeps playing! So much so that the first great album of 2026 was released at the end of January. Blackwater Holylight’s new album, Not Here Not Gone, expands upon their already dark yet light contrasts and pushes the doomgaze genre into new worlds.
Throughout the ten tracks on the album, there is no shortage of great moments and new things to discover with each listen. Not Here Not Gone is as haunting as it is seductive and sonically bombastic. The way the band can weave an intricate web of shoegaze, doom metal and indie/folk is breathtaking. There is a calm to the heaviness on this album that keeps you coming back. The way the album glistens as it begins with “How Will You Feel” opens the window to what’s to come. From there “Involuntary Haze” ups the volume and shows off the heavy nature of the band. “Bodies” riffs out with a stellar explosion that captivates from the moment it starts. “Heavy, Why?” is quite the contemplative song that is filled with crisp sonics and soaring vocals. “Giraffe” is a bit of a departure but, it’s one of those interesting ones that acts as a bridge between parts of the album. TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek guests on this track. “Spades” returns to the heavy/gaze with more of a pulsating undertone. “Void To Be” feels like a sort of shoegazy prog rock track but with a dark pop sense. “Fade” is a delicate song that goes more cinematic as it builds. “Mourning After” is another soulful song that has a ton of ear candy to explore. Closing out the album is the epic “Poppyfields.” This is one of those songs that will stay with you long after you are done listening. In fact, it’s one of those that will make you want to put the album on again.
What Blackwater Holylight have made with Not Here Not Gone is triumphant. Sunny Faris, Eliese Dorsey and Mikayla Mayhew have cemented themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Albums like this take quite a bit of time to make and when the end result is this powerful, it’s a statement record. Personally, I’m enthralled with what I heard on this album. I can only imagine the magnitude of volume that is their live show and these songs will definitely push the decibel levels of wherever they play. Seriously, put Not Here Not Gone on and just let it take you on it’s journey.
It’s happened to all of us I’m sure at one point or another. You hear a song/band in passing and you really dig it but don’t know who it is. Then on a random whim you hear it and then all is right for that moment. That happened recently for myself a couple months back, I had heard a band and I completely forgot the name as well as the song and then when I found out who it was, the volume sure went up. The band I’m talking about is Split Chain. If this is your introduction to them, you are in for a treat!
Split Chain is an English rock band that formed in 2023. This explosive five piece band, while still in it’s infancy is already packing quite the punch. Their first release, the single “Get Inside” came out in 2023 and it was a siren call for what was to come. A few more singles would be released as would a really fun cover of Type O Negative’s “I Don’t Wanna Be Me.” Then in later 2024 it was announced the band had signed with Epitaph Records and would begin work on their very anticipated debut album. Motionblur, would be released in July of 2025. Split Chain’s musical style incorporates bits of shoegaze, grunge, post-hardcore, and a dash of nu-metal. The combination sounds absolutely as you’d expect it to sound. It’s lush and full of space and dreaminess and on the other side there’s the heaviness and crunch.
Motionblur is one hell of a debut album. It’s one of those records you can just put on start to finish and just get lost in it. Across the eleven songs, you’ll find a very raw and dense album that is fused with soaring yet gut wrenching vocals, layered guitars that sway into the heavy and dreamy side of things, a rhythm section that thumps and kicks while also delicately ripping limbs away. The honesty found throughout is quite stunning too. You can hear it in the delivery of performances on the songs. The sonic aspect of the album is very direct in the way the album is produced. There are in your face moments of each instrument. The vocals are very up front but it doesn’t take away what the music is doing. The push and pull of both, makes these songs more haunting and personal. Each song has its own charm but, the sum of all the parts is what makes this album standout.
I love debut albums like this. You get to see and hear what the band is about but, you know there is way more to explore. Which means the what’s to come from Split Chain is going to be intense. Motionblur is authentic as it is a visceral album. Currently, Split Chain is out in Australia with Better Lovers. Their US tour with Soul Blind (another band you should know about) will be one hell of a great tour and chock full of high decibels!
I keep saying this because it’s true, 2026 is off to the races in terms of new album announcements, new music, new tours and who knows what else is to come in the next eleven months! That being said, this past week has seen a barrage of new singles from some of your favorites as well as some you might not know yet! In this batch for New Music Friday, I present new music from Lamb Of God, Filth Is Eternal, Nothing, Fotocrime, Gaerea, Metal Allegiance, clubdrugs . Give these a spin and let me know what you are into! Listening eclectically is much more fun than you’ve ever thought!
As a rabid music fan, I’m always intrigued by bands that mix genres. Sometimes the end result makes for quite the musical fusion. One band that I’ve had my ears and eyes on for a minute is, Counterwaves. Counterwaves is a two piece rock band from Southern California that mixes 90’s alternative/grunge with shoegaze. So in a way I suppose you could call them alternagaze or grungegaze? I do like alternagaze so I’m gonna go with that. Counterwaves music has a sense of optimism and positivity throughout which makes the more cinematic moments really shine through. I’m quite looking forward to what else Counterwaves is working on as I’ve been really enjoying the 4 songs released so far. Be sure to catch Counterwaves when they play The Cobalt Presents/Audioeclectica show on Saturday February 07, 2026 at Bar10 At Corbin Bowl!
There’s something about the feeling that comes over you when you hear a band that strikes at the right time. It’s not that I haven’t listened to this band before but, the way their new music sparked a sense of “Yes! This is what I’m looking for and I wasn’t even looking.” With that in mind, Blackwater Holylight is the band I’m talking about and if you haven’t heard this fantastic band, you’ve been missing out. In 2026, January 30th to be exact, Blackwater Holylight will be releasing their new album, Not Here Not Gone (via Suicide Squeeze Records). Packed with a sound that is as much intoxicating as it is hypnotic is quite the treat. The elements of shoegaze, doom and metal mixed with the atmospheric/cinematic synths, underlying pulsing rhythms that feel like waves and vocals that soar and swoon, are exactly what I hear in Blackwater Holylight. The two songs released so far, “Heavy, Why?” and “Involuntary Haze” are whimsical and the perfect way to introduce what’s to come. A full US tour will be happening next year with two bands that have been featured on Audioeclectica, Glassing and SOM. The idea of SOM and Blackwater Holylight on the same bill is actually blowing my mind as I think and write this. Truly, I can’t wait for this new album to hit right out of 2026. Now, go check out Blackwater Holylight!
Heavy, Why?:
Involuntary Haze:
Pre-Order NOT HERE NOT GONE:
TOUR DATES:
Glassing supports 2/13-2/27. SOM supports 2/27-3/14.
Fri 2/13 – San Diego, CA – Casbah Sat 2/14 – Phoenix, AZ – Last Exit Sun 2/15 – Albuquerque, NM – Sister Tue 2/17 – Austin, TX – Radio/East Wed 2/18 – Houston, TX – White Oak Thu 2/19 – New Orleans, LA – Siberia Fri 2/20 – Pensacola, FL – Handlebar Sat 2/21 – Atlanta, GA – Drunken Unicorn Sun 2/22 – Asheville, NC – Eulogy Tue 2/24 – Charlottesville, VA – Southern Cafe Wed 2/25 – Baltimore, MD – Metro Thu 2/26 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s Fri 2/27 – Brooklyn, NY – Meadows Sat 2/28 – Braintree, MA – Widowmaker Brewing Mon 3/02 – Youngstown, OH – Westside Bowl Tue 3/03 – Indianapolis, IN – Black Circle Wed 3/04 – Chicago, IL – Sleeping Village Fri 3/06 – Denver, CO – Hi-Dive Sat 3/07 – Denver, CO – Hi-Dive Sun 3/08 – Salt Lake City, UT – Aces High Tue 3/10 – Seattle, WA – Neumos Wed 3/11 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater Thu 3/12 – Sacramento, CA – Starlet Fri 3/13 – San Francisco, CA – The Chapel Sat 3/14 – Santa Cruz, CA – Moe’s Alley Sat 3/21 – Los Angeles, CA – Pacific Electric
The very awesome and cinematic LA shoegaze band, Osnova, have released a dreamy new single with “Climbing Dues.” Musically on this song Osnova weaves delicate textures and accents those with interesting melodies which then are balanced out by the sweeping vocals that accentuate the dreaminess of the song and feeling. Osnova are one of the LA bands that I’ve been watching for sometime now and I’m enjoying each and every song they put out. Their live shows are captivating in the way the music draws you in and it leaves you with a feather light feeling after. 2025 is shaping up to be a great year for Osnova, so do stay tuned to what they have coming up!
A couple months back, I ventured out to an old familiar spot I used to frequent in Hollywood, Boardners, to go see my friends in The Baby Goats during their residency for Club Decades. If you haven’t seen The Baby Goats live, I suggest you do, they are “Fun As Fuck.” No joke, they are seriously one of the most fun, entertaining live bands in Los Angeles. It was on this night that I saw a band before them that caught my attention. As they played, I kept getting more and more drawn into their dreamy soundscapes and shoegaze vibes. With that in mind, allow me to introduce you to Osnova.
The origins of Osonovo began in 2018 as former music journalist and DJ at KXLU FM in Los Angeles, Jean- Claude Vorgeack (aka JC) went looking for a drummer and Sam Ribeyro answered the call. The two would spend time bringing life to JC’s home recording demos throughout the pandemic. It wasn’t until July of 2022 that the final piece was found in vocalist Caroline McLaughlin. With the final puzzle piece in place, Osnova could now begin to hone their sound. Their sound is dreamy and cinematic with bits of shoegaze and alternative rock that all together create an atmospheric yet edgy style that stands out amongst the other shoegaze bands of their ilk. The band released its self-titled debut EP in fall of 2022, and finally made their live debut in November of the same year to a rapturous audience. Osnova has continued to find favor in the Los Angeles dark and dreamy music scene and has now partnered with LA record label Dune Altar (one of the best Indie Labels around) for the release of their latest single “OCTAVIAN,” which is otherworldly!
