The lush blend of ethereal melodies and hazy vocals drenched in reverb earned the moniker “dream pop” in the late 1980s, when this distinctive sound emerged as a beloved subgenre of alternative rock. Its roots can be traced back to the early days of The Beach Boys, when founder Brian Wilson experimented with new studio techniques on ‘Pet Sounds.’ Elements of dream pop can also be found in Phil Spector’s sweet yet chaotic “Wall of Sound” productions. Years later, innovators such as the Scottish outfit Cocteau Twins pioneered the unique style. Across the pond, SoCal dream pop icons Mazzy Star set the stage with the landmark album ‘So Tonight That I Might See,’ which features the timeless, bluesy dream pop breakthrough “Fade Into You.” Artists from England’s Lush and Sweden’s Radio Dept. to Boston’s Galaxie 500 all blazed trails in creating the first wave of dream pop.
The influence of these artists lingered in a slow burn, eventually boosting a resurgence in the late 2000s led by artists such as Beach House. The Baltimore trio captivated a new generation just as the indie-blog era was starting to wind down. Their haunting vocals layered over misty soundscapes cemented them as mainstays. Elsewhere, Animal Collective, also originally from Baltimore, channeled the Beach Boys with their signature sweet-and-sunburnt psychedelia. The band’s original founding member Panda Bear put his own mark on dream pop as a solo artist by combining his knack for atmospheric pop with a sample-delic technique that ushered in new ideas and pushed boundaries. Denver band Tennis brought a retro flavor over breezy, delicate vocals, and New York City’s Cults blended nostalgia with vintage guitar sounds for a tingly, transcendent fuzz.
Fast-forward to the modern era, in which artists on SoundCloud and beyond are carrying the torch, embracing lo-fi aesthetics and the wide-ranging availability of software and home studios to put their own spin on dream pop. Led by singer-songwriter and producer Shane Lavers, who blends hip-hop production with lush dream-pop rhythms, Chanel Beads first started experimenting with demos before forming into a trio based out of Brooklyn. London trio bar italia have been rising quickly with their hazy, post-punk-inspired stylings. Miami-based DIY songwriter and producer Mr Floyd Larry has been building his SoundCloud profile over the past few years with his uniquely melancholy new-wave-tinged melodies. EKKSTACY, a rapidly rising Canadian producer and singer-songwriter, has been establishing himself with his simple beats, floating vocal style and fuzzed-out guitar patterns. Dive into a collection of tracks from artists including new-era leaders Cigarettes After Sex, Alvvays, Still Corners and more, who together represent the next chapter of dream pop.
LISTEN TO THE DREAM POP PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW
Cigarettes After Sex - Dark Vacay
Wistful lost-love song, the latest from the Texas band led by Greg Gonzalez
Cults - Crybaby
Their first new material in two years, guitarist Brian Oblivion and singer Madeline Follin note “‘Crybaby’ marks a new direction of exploration”
Chanel Beads - Police Scanner
From the brand-new, hotly anticipated debut album by the New York band led by the producer Shane Lavers
untitled (halo) - limewire
A heavy beat and a light melodic touch define this track from the trip-hoppy trio from southern Cali
Saya Gray - AA BOUQUET FOR YOUR 180 FACE
From the Toronto native’s latest release, the EP ‘QWERTY II’
TTSSFU - Studio 54
Tasmin Stephens, the voice of this studio project, is also lead guitarist for the Manchester band Duvet
bar italia - Nurse!
Formed in London in 2019, this slinky trio signed with Matador Records last year
C Turtle - Ex Athlete
Lo-fi is the watchword for this ‘90s-mining South London band
Lionmilk - comfort is never constant
Daydream instrumental from the solo project of LA-based musician, composer and producer Moki Kawaguchi
Harpsichord Canvas - dusk glow (feat. Orchid Mantis)
Side project of Atlanta found-sound collagist Orchid Mantis
Orchid Mantis - another life (ft. sign crushes motorist)
Specializing in “pop songs about forgetting,” here’s a prime example
Donicas Mbbern - Lost My Self
Lovely acoustic guitar and a whistling keyboard melody highlight this instrumental single
Sabina Mitolo - Broken Down
Spare, chiming composition that showcases Mitolo’s winning, conversational voice
ethel cain - Lead Poisioning
From a religious family, she’s inspired by southern Gothic and Gregorian chant
Margaret Degen - Need To Talk
Contrary to the song’s title, the two people in question here are so close, they “don’t need to talk”
Mr Floyd Larry - Loving You
From Miami, the one-man band released this single last summer, ahead of his latest EP, ‘The Waking’
boywithahalo - collide
Born in China and raised in Dallas, this bedroom artist makes “anti-pop pop music” for the inside of your head
boywithahalo - chemicals
“Stuck in a daydream,” this boy sings. “I wake, can’t feel anything.”
beabadoobee, Laufey - A Night to Remember
Featuring Laufey’s trademark take on the classic bossa nova sound, she’s joined here by the young Filipino-English singer
EKKSTACY - i walk this earth all by myself
Canadian songwriter works elements of goth, post-punk, and new wave into his signature sound
Freak Slug - Magic // I Get It
Real name Xenya Genovese, the Manchester indie-pop singer released this in the summer of ‘22
The Japanese House - Boyhood
English, actually: Amber Mary Bain hails from the home county of Buckinghamshire, outside London
Bored at My Grandmas House - How Do You See The World?
Indie-pop solo act from Leeds who makes music “for ur ears to enjoy”
Still Corners - The Ship
After two albums with Sub Pop, this duo has released four more carefully constructed albums, including their latest, ‘Dream Talk’
Alvvays - Bored in Bristol
One the scene since 2011, the Canadian indie-pop band released their third and most recent album in late 2022
Men I Trust - I Hope to Be Around
Formed by two high school friends, this three-piece Montreal band features the hushed vocals of Emmanuelle Proulx
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