An alternative rock sub genre that lasted roughly between the late ’80s and early ’90s. Its sound is characteristically loud thanks to a tremolo guitar technique and having guitars reverb-ed to oblivion, topped off with hushed and whispery vocals. Although loud it can also be soothing at the same time- a contradictory description but an apt one.

The term shoegaze was coined by NME as a snarky comment on how a majority of the genre’s bands would often be looking on the floor while lost in the dreamy reverb haze coming out of their guitars and effects pedals.

Although shoegaze never became as big and revolutionary as grunge, it has had a lasting legacy and influence on a new generation of musicians such as M83 and Deerhunter. Press play and get lost.