i’m paige. i love shoegaze music. i know if you’re reading this right now, so do you. so let me put you on to my absolute favourite new shoegaze music.
'it has become clear to me that all those who seek'
shoegaze band violet oscillation released their debut ep ‘it has become clear to me that all those who seek’ on august 27th and honestly, it’s going to be the most shoegaze thing you’ll hear all year. violet oscillation’s music captures the essence of shoegaze music, with textures spanning from heavy shoegaze guitars drenched in distortion to ethereal haze.
my favorite song on the ep? i kinda go back and forth between ‘veil’ and ‘all meaning was whole,’ but i could see a lot of listeners favouring ‘primordial learning.’ the ep has a diverse compilation of unique songs while still possessing a cohesive feel throughout, thanks to luca’s distinct style which once known, can’t be forgotten.
‘veil’ opens the ep and gives a defining glimpse into what’s to come, instantly revealing the intricate characteristics to be uncovered which solidify its spot as a classic within the shoegaze genre. soft vocals are veiled behind heavy shoegaze guitars, the likes of which haven’t been heard since 1991.
‘all meaning was whole’ emerges from the depths of the ep, captivating the listener’s senses with a feeling of jouissance, an ecstatic joy unable to define. this song is so richly lofi and infused with long-lost vintage coloration that you might have, without knowing any better, believed this song was from the 90s. this is a recognisable trait of violet oscillation’s sonic aesthetic.
‘primordial learning’ represents the noise driven side of the ep, effortlessly lifting the tempo with cascading harmonising vocals from a distant dream. a mesmerising melody emerges, the kind which you subconsciously reminisce on for hours to come.
‘ethereal’ sweetens the ep, with ethereal vocals that i image inspired the track’s name. this piece captures the lighter, dreamier side of the genre whilst evoking wonder. it breathes a softness into the ep.
‘visual snow’ closes the ep in an experimental nature with dancing notes exploring the finale of the ep. this song leaves just the right amount of room and space for the wind up of a very fuzz-ladened ep. as soon as enough time for reflection has passed, you’re ready to hit replay and start from the beginning again.
find the ep -
an exclusive look into the ep being made
i had a peek into this ep being made and wow. firstly, he built two massive pedalboards for recording the dreamy guitars. they overflow with reverb pedals and distortion pedals for a hazy sonic palette. many of the guitar pedals on his pedalboard he made himself with friends, conceptualising and curating the guitar effects personally for the best shoegaze guitar tone. you can have one for your pedalboard, too. more on that here.
who is violet oscillation?
luca of the band violet oscillation and pedal partners has been at the heart of the shoegaze resurgence, both by popularising the genre and shaping the sound as it is known today. he is known for his shoegaze films with original, dreamy music and that recognisable pink-drenched aesthetic. luca has shared his extensive knowledge of the shoegaze genre and the intricacies that shape the elusive sound to millions, making it accessible to listeners worldwide and reviving a genre that faded for decades with a passion and drive unmatched. all while completely independent. it’s something to marvel at.