Picture a chilly rehearsal space in 2020, just a stone’s throw from the bustling streets of Paris. It’s here that PRUNE 99 begins—not with a grand vision, but with something as simple as a vacant slot in a practice room and a shared love for melancholy melodies. Guillaume, the bassist, throws the idea out to Gauthier and Amelie: Why not jam together? From the ghostly echoes of Gauthier’s solo project Scepticisme, the seeds of PRUNE 99 are sown. As the world shut down, the trio found solace in their music, deciding to reset their musical journey. Their goal was clear ..read more

Transforming from the previous identity of SØNØS, MEZMER ventures into new sonic territories, where the rock spirit of yesteryears blends with the contemplative and immersive experience of introspection and ethereal soundscapes. MEZMER’s debut EP, highlighted by tracks like ‘Your Head Spins Loudly as it Dulls’ and ‘SUPERMOON’, offers a narrative odyssey through the landscapes of loss, and the ephemeral nature of connection. In an exclusive interview, MEZMER delves into the profound shift from SØNØS to the current sonic identity, describing it as a reframing of musical expressions rather than a ..read more

This Valentine’s Day, the Canadian composer and musician, Vision Eternel’s Alexander Julien, resurrects a hidden gem from his discography: the never-properly released 2014 soundtrack/EP, “Echoes From Forgotten Hearts.” Offering a counterpoint of depth and reflection, a decade after its creation, this work is re-emerging as a Deluxe Edition, promising listeners a voyage through the emotional landscapes of heartbreak and introspection that Julien has navigated over the past ten years. The reissue, set to drop as a 23-song double-tape box set and digitally, comes adorned with new artwork by Micha ..read more

Bathed in the luminous essence of resilience and emotional renaissance, the new album ‘Kintsukuroi‘ by Human Colonies is not just a collection of tracks but a journey through a soundscape shimmering with golden seams. Prepare to immerse yourself in an auditory experience where each song is a fragment, meticulously mended to reveal a tapestry of noise-pop and shoegaze brilliance, reflecting the beautiful Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. This art form not only inspires the album’s title but also its thematic core: finding strength and beauty in brokenness. Kintsukuroi by Human ..read more

Skymender’s debut album, “If and Only,” rises not only as an aural testament to a new sound frontier but as a beacon of audacity in a sea of musical conformity. Available for streaming, digital acquisition, and for those with a predilection for tangibility, on limited edition orange vinyl come October 20th, via Steadfast Records. A sublime entwining of Ashley Scurto’s celestial vocal cadence and the melodic musings of guitarist Kenny Grose becomes the heartbeat of the album. The brilliance is further fortified by the rhythmic precision of drummer S. Dwayne Bruner, a seasoned talent with accola ..read more

Fresh from their tour with Better Lovers, Blanket’s latest single, “Euphoria,” comes as an audacious foray into a fusion of sounds that’s both nostalgic and innovative. Musically, “Euphoria” is a testament to the transformative power of synthesis. It melds the gritty, raw emotion of grunge with the ethereal, dreamy vibes of shoegaze, resulting in a piece that’s familiar yet fresh. It’s a track that’s bound to resonate with fans of bands like Cave In and Nothing, but it’s more than just a mere amalgamation of these influences. The magic lies in how Blanket has taken these inspirations and made ..read more

Pennsylvania’s grunge-gazers, Gloomer, have just served up their latest offering, “Embrace The End,” launched under the banner of Friend Club Records. Behind the album’s impeccable engineering and production is Dave Alcan, who’s got creds working alongside Jay Maas, known for Defeater and Love Letter. Gloomer, brainchild of Bill Karachristos and Josh Marshall, sprouted in 2020. Initially, they toyed with the idea of releasing just a handful of songs penned by Karachristos. But as fate would have it, the addition of Addison Steele and Aaron Bromley transformed this duo into a full-fledged band ..read more

The ethereal shoegaze/emo act known as hiçamahiç have recently unveiled a visualizer for “Düşünürüm,” a track dripping with introspection from their celebrated debut album. The shadows of the ancient city dance and shimmer in the video crafted meticulously by Mutlu & Görkem, with live footages bearing the fingerprints of Bengi & Defne, breathing life into the track’s haunting ambiance. Mutlu, with his deft touch, has also overseen the mix, while Will Killingsworth’s masterful craftsmanship lends the final, flawless touches. Düşünürüm by hiçamahiç When we first introduced our readers to ..read more

Oklahoma City’s newest solo act, Settling…, is on the cusp of capturing hearts and minds with their highly personal and musically layered debut. The shoegaze/slow-core project, titled “You’re Always Alone In The End“, hit streaming platforms on September 21st, 2023. At its core, the project unfurls as a sonorous exploration of emotions, the duality of isolation, and the hope to be found within. With roots deeply embedded in the raw and unfiltered ethos of the Oklahoma City music scene, Settling… emerges as a beacon of self-reflection, blending elements of shoegaze, indie-rock, and ambient elec ..read more

Sweden’s Young Mountain, a post-hardcore band with strong post-rock influences, has charted a new direction with their latest single, “Merkurius“. Straying from their established path, they are experimenting with shoegaze and indie influences, a bold move that speaks volumes about their willingness to venture into uncharted territories while avoiding the trap of being ensnared by the past. Merkurius by Young Mountain In an exclusive commentary for IDIOTEQ, the band shares, “It’s a single that we have been wanting to release for a while now…Sometimes you just want to try something different fro ..read more