Back in April, NYC-based shoegaze band, HEAVEN, released an LP on Little Cloud Records called Dream Aloud, which is filled with elements of rock, dream pop, and synthpop. HEAVEN engages a sense of nostalgia in this album, reminding me of some of my favorite shoegaze records from the mid-90s to early 2000s. I really enjoyed the journey that this album took me on, but I’d really love to highlight some of the best tracks off the record. Starting off with the LP’s title track, Dream Aloud, we’re brought along a more gentle ride. Leaning more into dream pop than shoegaze, Dream Aloud is the most nostalgic-sounding track. I love the…
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LSD and the Search for God – Double EP Review
No need to search very far for standout shoegaze – LSD and the Search for God calls San Francisco home. LSD and the Search for God have zeroed in on what makes good shoegaze good shoegaze. LSD and the Search for God currently has two EPs out – their self-titled EP and Heaven Is a Place – released in 2007 and 2016, respectively. I’ve had the pleasure of having LSD and the Search for God in my rotations since 2023, but this was my first listen of Heaven Is a Place. Both of these EPs are definitely staying in my rotations going forward. The first song I’d like to dive…
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Pink Breath Of Heaven New Record ‘Colors Make A Sound’
The band shows incredible promise with their modern approach to blissed-out psych-rock music. The unique vision for the band goes beyond traditional shoegaze with flavors of psych, alternative and goth. The grit and rawness in their songs that is contained in an opalescent living atmosphere.
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Mediterranean Meets Middle East – La Piramide di Sangue’s Tebe
The psychedelic music of Italy has a certain flair that you can’t find anywhere else. The Italian psychedelic scene of Psichedelia occulta italiana (Italian occult psychedelic), or POI, boasts a unique blend of genre influences, including krautrock, post-punk, and Italian progressive rock. This blend sets itself apart from the massive soundscape of the psychedelic genre, with a foundational sound that can be a bit more structured in comparison to other psychedelic subgenres. Psychedelic music tends to have a musical influence from some type of traditional or folk music, with many acts being inspired by Carnatic music or Hindustani classical music, some even citing Ravi Shankar specifically as a main source…
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Sun Atoms – Live Show and Everything Forever Album Review
Portland, Oregon’s own Sun Atoms came through the Bay Area circuit a little while back, stopping by Kilowatt in San Francisco to give an unforgettable performance. I love being introduced to bands by seeing them live, and this was an introduction to remember. Sun Atoms were the 3rd and final act to grace the stage that night, following performances by Rykarda Parasol and Ardent Sons. Sun Atoms were absolutely incredible to watch. Prior to seeing them live, I’d never seen a darkwave artist live. They were completely locked-in on their performance. Their passion for their music was deeply evident throughout their set. Lead singer Jsun Atoms really commanded the room…
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Branching out from the Traditional Psychedelia – Daliborovo granje’s Hainin
Coming to you from Čakovec, Croatia is one of my favorite psychedelic groups: Daliborovo granje. Branching out from some of the usual psychedelic influences, Daliborovo granje creates a unique psychedelic infusion with some Balkan flair. Daliborovo granje is comprised of five members: David Lesjak on bass, Andrija Munđar on drums, Tomica Oskoruš on trumpet, and Filip Toplek and Alan Horvat on guitar. Hainin is their sophomore album, served up with a dose of Balkan folk music, which is a refreshing take on the timeless, classic psychedelic genre. To me, this instrumental album is about as close to perfection as you could possibly get. I can’t tell you how many times…
