I don’t know why I didn’t think of this earlier but here I made a Spotify collaboration list! The only rules are 1) don’t remove somebody else’s song and 2) don’t spam-add songs.
Really didn’t know how to word this. All I know is that I’ve been completely in love with The Shelter of My Love by Astropol. I’m looking for some more alternative, dream-like, cinematic, emotionally intense songs. Songs that make you have flashbacks of things you never experienced. Songs that make you lose yourself before the voice of the artist jolts you awake. Songs that sound like how perpetual fogs and inevitable spirals feel.
I’m not sure what to call this specific genre, either. What the hell is shoegaze, anyway?
How about some Beach House?
If you don’t have a particular need for lyrics, or lyrics that you can understand (presumably), I’ve got a few for you.
Nyokabi Kariũki - Nazama | (Bandcamp) > YT Link
Aivi & Surasshu - Mika | (Bandcamp) > YT Link
The following is a very short performance for a promotional video for the Lumatone keyboard, but I have it saved in my playlist because of how beautiful it is.
Lumatone performance (YT Link)
I think it demonstrates the vastness of the musical realm by splitting the notes we typically associate with western music into different (and often more numerous) divisions of the octave. One of the best applications of this besides getting that ethereal feeling is that it allows you to explore intervals to a finer degree i.e. achieve cleaner melodic and harmonic tones that are mathematically pleasing to the human ear and mind. This whole concept is called microtonality if anyone is interested. And to your question, OP, I think searching in this area can help you find some of that cosmic, alternative sound you’re looking for.
I know I got a little bit away from the question here, but getting into the microtonal/xenharmonic realm was so magical for me because while I enjoy your typical music theory teachings, I’m very much on the more scientific side of things, and music has always been that intriguing intersection between the indiscriminate and cosmic nature of mathematics and the emotional and beautifully flawed nature of artistic expression. Finding the community and literature around xenharmonic music helped me find my way of exploring music in a way that comes naturally to me.
Edit: One that’s a little more “energetic” that I always get lost in. The entire album is great, but this track in particular - Homestuck: Medium - Frogs (YT Link)
I always upvote unexpected Homestuck. 👍
Also agree it is a banger.
Oh my GOODNESS I want a Lumatone so badly! I thought I had invented isomorphic keyboards one day in the shower, but when I searched my idea up I learned that people have been clever long before me
It’s such a great concept and the lumatone is beautiful execution. Hopefully I can start saving for one sometime this decade.
The drums - portamento
Hmm, I have no idea what to call the genre but I like that song you shared! Maybe California Nights or Where Were You When the Sky Opened Up? I’ll try to think some more, those are just off the top of my head
I hadn’t heard that Best Coast song. I love When I’m With You by them, but this one has a very different vibe. Good stuff!
Best Coast is very fun.
Don’t mistake my silence for negligence, y’all; keep the recommendations going and I’ll give them all a listen eventually.
Wild Nothing - nocturne
Some type of skin by AURORA.
Not totally sure it fits your description, but it’s hella intense and I love it.
Caring is Creepy by The Shins
I don’t know why I didn’t think of this earlier but here I made a Spotify collaboration list! The only rules are 1) don’t remove somebody else’s song and 2) don’t spam-add songs.
Jenny Lewis — “Head Underwater”
Cordelia’s Dad — “Little Speckled Egg”
Cracker — “Guarded by Monkeys”
Freelance Whales — “Generator ^ First Floor”
You’re gonna share the playlist when you’re done, right?
This one might be too mainstream, but:
Iron & Wine — “Woman King”
Eyyy, Minus the Bear!! I’ve always loved the P.O.S redo of Drilling, takes me right back to myspace :)
Good thing you mentioned a playlist. I don’t use Spotify anymore but I still have an account there so I will likely curate a playlist to share.
You might dig No Joy, Lush, Cindy Lee, the Cocteau Twins and My Bloody Valentine
What the hell is shoegaze, anyway?
Ask four different people and you’ll get four different answers, but the term first started to get thrown at bands as an insult around the late 80s in the UK because guitarists in certain alternative bands would be using so many different effects during their performances they’d spend the whole show staring at their pedalboards (I think a review of a My Bloody Valentine show in particular is where the term got coined)
Ah dang someone beat me to my bloody valentine. Deleting my comment
100% shoegaze fits the bill perfectly for OPs request. i’d add slowdive to that list
there’s some great, highly independent shoegaze on yt
also, some Dandy Warhols & Brian Jonestown probably fits the bill, eg. this track
Hey thanks for the suggestion! I really dig that song!
I think TTRRUUCES - Sensations of Cool (youtube links incoming) hits this prompt pretty perfectly, especially the dream-like quality of the video
Same for Jon Worthy - Please Tell Me
A few more that are close but not quite perfect:
Hiatus Kaiyote - And We Go Gentle
I’m looking forward to listening to the other suggestions, I’ve listened to a few of them and so far they’ve been great!
Generationals - Put a Light On
Really excited to hear what you think.
Might be to electronica for your tastes but try Tycho’s Dive and awake albums
