“Dream Pop” Reviews

Pure Bathing Culture’s music does contain that ’80s vibe that’s all the rage thanks to chillwave, etc., but these songs are more than exercises in musical nostalgia.

The trio’s debut album is lovely ambient folk-pop perfect for the coming winter.

Sleep Experiments’ delicate, unassuming take on ambient dreampop and slowcore consistently conjure up autumn’s chillier climes.

Of the many Slowdive/MBV/Cocteau aficionados that have appeared in recent years, Canisius is one to keep an eye on.

There’s a sense of joy and wonder in Keith Canisius’ music and it always proves infectious and affecting.

Let’s get the obvious out of way: the Cocteau Twins are the most obvious point of reference, particularly Treasure and Victorialand.

The Swedish duo have created what could very well be the ambient/dream-pop album of 2009.

The Manchester-based six-piece have a decided fixation on the sounds associated with the glory days of 4AD Records.

At its best, I find it to be just as affecting as when I heard “Dreaming of Spires” so long ago.

Ultimately, Lum and Bee are all about creating a mood with their music, a relaxed and blissed-out vibe.

Music that, despite its sometimes painful awkwardness and delicacy, is capable of reminding us of something we’ve long forgotten.

Hopefully, this collection of odds and sods from Manual’s archives presages a sea change in Jonas Munk’s career.

Shoegazer pop that proves to be far more affecting and infectious than one might initially think.

Mahogany’s shimmering sounds evoke futuristic metropolises that only seem to exist in sci-fi movies and anime.

Where The Days Go’s most interesting tracks are those that let a little noise scuff up July Skies’ burnished sound a bit.

As familiar as Guthrie’s music might be, it rarely sounds stale or recycled.

The trio imbues their music with a certain youthful naiveté that can endear them to all but the most cynical of souls.

Featuring Aarktica, Robin Guthrie, July Skies, I Am Robot and Proud, Lowlife, and more.

On Continental, Robin Guthrie shakes free somewhat of his own well-defined sound.

Epic45 weaves in a sense of nostalgia and wistfulness that touches on the notions of abandoned, forgotten places.