How to Appreciate Shoegazing Genres

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Last Updated: November 30, 2025 References

Are you a music lover? If so, you likely enjoy listening to different kinds of music, even those that generally don't get appreciated as much. With its moody, mystic and whisper-like vocals accompanied by subdued tones and psychedelic guitar sounds, shoegaze is a music genre not usually found on the pop charts. However, with the spread on social media and elsewhere on the Internet, shoegaze is enjoying a resurgence.^{[1]
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Research source} If you're just getting into this genre and are wondering about how to cultivate your interest, this guide will help you to do just that.

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1
Listen to some shoegaze. The easiest way to do this might be to simply search up a shoegazing playlist on your favorite music streaming service. Alternatively, read music discussion forums to see what others recommend and give it a listen.
- Take your time in listening and avoid skipping through songs if they don't immediately catch your ear. Most shoegazing tracks range in length from three to five minutes. Some, such as "Henry" by Pale Saints, even last for upwards of ten minutes. You might end up liking a song by the end of it, even if you didn't find it appealing at first.
- Although it might be easier to just put some music on while you work out or get some chores done, you'll likely notice the different components more if you spend some time to just listen to the music. And doing so will likely help you develop more of a taste for shoegaze overall. You might even find that listening to it imbues a certain feeling, such as helping you to relax your state of mind.
- You might decide to purchase a mini-LP or even a full album, if physical media is your thing. If you prefer streaming your music, you could put together your own shoegaze playlist instead. Really, it's up to you.
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Familiarize yourself with groups that make music in this style. As you listen to more shoegaze songs, you'll become familiar with the bands that originally brought it to the fore, such as My Bloody Valentine, Swervedriver, Slowdive, Ride, Moose, Curve and Lush.
- Although shoegaze originated in the UK, bands from other countries have also been listed under the label, so be sure to check some of them out as well. Some examples are: Blonde Redhead, Drop Nineteens, The Veldt and Asobi Seksu (USA), Luminous Orange and Pasteboard (Japan), Mellonta Tauta, and Soda Stereo (Argentina), and Los Planetas (Spain).
- In more recent years, new artists and groups have put out shoegaze records and contributed to a renewed interest in the genre. If you're looking to give this new age of shoegaze a try, give a listen to such acts as: Burrrn, My Dead Girlfriend, Quannnic, Car Crash Sisters, Lorelle Meets The Obsolete, Parannoul, Valley Palace, Nam Thế Giới, and Flyying Colours.
- As with diving into any genre of music that you didn't listen to much before, you'll soon discover artists whose works you enjoy more often than others. Finding a band that you really like can help you to grow your appreciation for the genre even more, since you'll likely listen to their tunes to your heart's content.
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3
Go to concerts. As with any other music genre, another means to grow in appreciation for shoegaze is to attend a concert. After all, it's one thing to hear what the genre has to offer, such as the warp-like guitar sounds, via a recording, but quite another to hear it produced live! (And you might just be able to see the shoegazing in action if you can get a look at the guitarists and their effect pedals.)
- It's best to have in mind artists that you'd like to see in concert and then check their official website or social feeds for updates on their live dates.Many newer artists frequently tour and even older acts, such as Slowdive and Swervedriver, continue to perform in recent years.
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Explore genres that are related to shoegaze. These include ambient pop, noise pop, dream pop and goth rock. Of course, artists that are noted as playing one genre often make records that are categorized under other genres as well, so there will always be some overlap.
- Groups that with recordings in such styles include: Cocteau Twins, A.R. Kane, Galaxie 500, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Bauhaus, The Cure, and Broadcast.
- In addition to some styles of music influencing the formation of the shoegazing sound, new genres of music have appeared which are derived, in part, from shoegaze. If you enjoy shoegaze, try listening to these genres as well: nu-gaze, doomgaze, blackgaze and surfgaze (among others).
- Examples of artists that make music in these styles are: Wisp, Glare, Jesu, Planning for Burial, Alcest, An Autumn For Crippled Children, Surf Rock Is Dead and Say Sue Me.
5
Learn about the history of the genre. If you learn about the music, artists and record labels that led up to and pioneered shoegaze, this can help boost your enjoyment of it. With that in mind, read and watch content on the subject.
- Some documentaries that discuss shoegaze are: Beautiful Noise,^{[2]
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  Research source} Upside Down: The Creation Records Story^{[3]
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  Research source} (which discusses My Bloody Valentine, among other bands that were signed to the label), Pitchfork's video about Slowdive,^{[4]
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  Research source} and Trash Theory's video about the history of the genre.^{[5]
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- With regard to books, such works include: Shoegaze by Ryan Pinkard,^{[6]
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  Research source} Facing the Wrong Way: The Story of 4AD by Martin Aston (which talks about Cocteau Twins, among the other groups signed to the label),^{[7]
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  Research source} and Blissed Out by Simon Reynolds (contains some information about My Bloody Valentine, among other, non-shoegaze bands).^{[8]
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6
Talk with other fans. Talking with others about your shared interests can boost your enjoyment of it. Perhaps you already do that with the music styles that you already enjoy thoroughly. Chatting with other fans of shoegaze online, such as on Reddit, or in person, such as at concerts or even your local record store, can grow your interest in it.
- If you have friends who enjoy different kinds of music and are open to suggestions for new tracks, why not try recommending them some of your favorite shoegazing songs? They might learn of a song or band they might otherwise not have found and you might attach another fond memory to that particular track or group.
- Another way to increase your appreciation is, if you have an interest in journalism, to interview an enthusiast or even someone who makes shoegaze. Who knows, you might even be able to gain an audience with a band!
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Make your own shoegaze music. If you're a musician and really enjoy the shoegaze sound, consider making your own tracks. It's kind of a DIY thing.
- If you've already dug into how the sound is achieved, you'll be more prepared to make your own songs. While a big component is the right guitar effects mix, not to be overlooked is the vocal style particular to the genre.
- Although some bands spend a lot of time nailing the perfect sound, it's possible to get the shoegaze feel with just some guitar effects and a simple hairdryer, using your computer or even your phone to record the vocals.^{[9]
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  Research source} So, don't feel compelled to match the time and effort My Bloody Valentine put into making Loveless.

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Warnings

Don't be pushy about suggesting shoegaze to friends or others. Even if they're self-described music lovers, not all music lovers are really into all kinds of music. They might find that shoegaze puts them to sleep... literally.

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