My first brush with shoegaze came during a long, rainy drive through western Massachusetts, listening to My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless. I was immediately hooked by the beautiful contradictions: soothing, buried vocals fighting their way through roaring guitars and relentless drums — loud yet oddly calming.
As I’ve continued exploring the genre, it’s clear shoegaze has evolved. While it keeps the drone-heavy sound at its core, modern bands are now stretching the genre’s limits in exciting ways. San Francisco’s Cruel Summer is a shining example. Their album Ivy blends the classic dreamy haze with a refreshing sense of warmth and energy, pushing shoegaze into bright new territory.
From the first track to the last, Ivy rides an uplifting momentum, rarely dipping into the melancholy that typically colors the genre. When those somber shades do appear — like on the reflective “Lavender” — they feel intentional and well-placed rather than overwhelming.
My standout favorite is “Trust,” where Thea Chacamaty’s sweet vocals invite listeners to surrender to the music, the ocean, and the moment itself. Her breezy delivery feels like a day at the beach, equal parts relaxing and revitalizing. The album’s climax arrives with “Leeches,” a powerful closer where vocals break through the dense guitar textures with stunning force.
Andy Pastalaniek’s drumming also deserves praise. His steady, focused rhythms drive the album’s energy forward without breaking the dreamy spell cast by the swirling guitars and bass — the very heart of shoegaze.
Much like my first encounter with Loveless, Ivy captivated me through its contradictions: dreamy but driven, bright but deep, joyful yet introspective.
Cruel Summer proves that shoegaze is thriving, especially in San Francisco. Ivy isn’t just an interesting musical experiment — it’s an album meant to be felt, a sun-drenched journey you’ll want to take again and again.
