Let's Talk About Dream Pop

Some history & some recs

Dream Pop is Not For Everyone

Oh, super cool, Rich. Let’s dedicate an entire newsletter to dream pop and seemingly recommend it and then the first thing you say is that it’s not for everyone, wtf? Listen, I said this for a reason! I think that listening to dream pop needs a bit of a level set on expectations, cause it sort of did for me.

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Sorry doods, but to be honest, I stand by it. I think that dream pop at first listen is a genre that can be seen as boring or just reverb-heavy music with little individuality. I think that for me when I first heard it, it was a space that felt a little like background music or like elevator music with not too much intrigue beyond that, BUT, I think this was entirely predicated on what I thought dream pop was. But after taking more of a deep dive into the genre - exploring its history, going to a dream pop/indie-pop show (Hovvdy & Whitmer Thomas & girlpuppy), and researching more bands through playlists - it led me to fall in love with it more than I really anticipated I would.

What the heck is it and why?

To keep it short, dream pop is a mix of alt-rock & neo-psychedelia. The goal of dream pop is to highlight elements like atmospheric sonic texture, very breathy vocals, loads of reverb, echo, delays, etc. but keeping some elements of rock like a solid backbeat provided by the rhythm section.

The why? Honestly, I think that it is a place for a lot of expression. I know that can be said about music in general, but like, you get what I’m saying. Sound is obviously vibrations and we all feel vibrations differently - with that, the textures that dream pop bands create are honestly best described as a sonic journey. I think the collection of elements that define the genre are some of the better-feeling musical elements that we would hear across all genres of music.

Who should I listen to?

Alright - jumping straight into it. I think to get the gist of dream pop you should start with some old-school groups that helped define the sound, and then mix it with some of the more modern groups to see how it progressed. In there, that rabbit hole can be found!

The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground & Nico was released by in 1967 and was one of the first to sort of create the genre. At the time they experimented a lot with the elements that we see and know in dream pop today.

album rating - 7.5/10, fave track - All Tomorrow’s Parties

my bloody valentine - Loveless is a record that dropped in 91’ that brings a lot of energy. The use of the whammy bar from guitarist Kevin Shields elicits a sort of pinchy, visceral response in the eardrums but in a great way.

album rating - 8.7/10, fave song - To Here Knows When

The Japanese House - This band is special. Their sound is a nostalgic synth feel that explores some of the elements we know from dream pop but also takes it in other directions. My album rec would def be In the End It Always Does. This album feels like a journey, and I recommend you take that ride. As for my favorite song from them, I’d prob toss Face Like Thunder in the ring, as I see it as a 9.5/10 song with great vibes to dance to, even though it isn’t featured on my album rec from them.

album rating - 9/10, fave song - Touching Yourself

Hovvdy - This band has opened my eyes to a new understanding of musical expression, and they are sweethearts irl. Their sound feels like home, but also like driving with the windows down, a cool breeze in the air, during late spring as the sun is setting. Lyrically, their music is moving and relatable. My album rec would def be True Love. This album really feels like a warm hug, which is honestly indicative of the vibes the members of the band give off.

album rating - 9.5/10, fave song - Around Again

And that is a little taste and insight into the beautiful genre that is dream pop. Please feel free to share your thoughts with me on Twitter or email finetunednewsletter@gmail.com!

Please do share Finetuned with your friends & fam! Let’s get these great tunes and mediocre puns to more earholes (and eyeballs… ew?)

Little note here, most of the links to albums will be on Spotify, where I also have playlists that feature my recs based on the month their newsletter came out. You can find those playlists here!

See you all next week.

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