Music analysis: My Bloody Valentine - The pioneers of shoegaze
Shoegaze is a subgenre of alternative rock, often described as psychedelic and ethereal.
My Bloody Valentine were formed in Dublin in 1983, and are said to be pioneers of the genre.
But what is shoegaze? And what was My Bloody Valentine’s influence on the genre?
Music News Blitz writer Nisha Cullen answers those questions…
My Bloody Valentine
My Bloody Valentine, as we know them today, was formed in 1983 in Dublin, Ireland.
They wouldn’t officially release an album until 1988, when they got signed to Creation Records and released their first album, Isn’t Anything.
Their most famous project, Loveless, was released in 1991 and featured songs such as “when you sleep,” “only shallow,” and “soon.”
However, after this, the band would record music, but it remained unreleased, and by 1997, they disbanded.
However, they got back together 10 years later and released their third album, m b v, in 2013 and remain active to this day.
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Shoegaze
Shoegaze is often described as having heavy guitar effects and obscured vocals.
It originated in the UK and Ireland in the late 1980s with bands such as the aforementioned My Bloody Valentine, and Cocteau Twins and Slowdive.
Shoegaze was around just before grunge became popular, but post the post-punk era, where there was a lot of inspiration for shoegaze music, with artists such as Joy Division and Wire.
It was said that the shoegaze movement was one that was rather inclusive, with many women playing important roles in bands.
Namely, two of the four members of My Bloody Valentine were women, when most bands had at least one female member.
Kevin Shields, lead singer of My Bloody Valentine, noted in an interview for a documentary in 2014 that "there seemed to be as many girls around as guys."
However, the UK’s shift to Britpop in the mid-90s saw a decline in interest in shoegaze bands, with many members of bands moving on to different projects.
However, this didn’t stop shoegaze’s influence on the UK music scene, which is still prevalent to this day.
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Influence
Evidence of shoegaze’s influence on music is still seen today in music.
Thanks to TikTok, which saw My Bloody Valentine’s “when you sleep” go viral, the impact on music is still as big today as it was when it was released in 1991.
Early singles from Blur, such as “She’s So High”, are said to have shoegaze influences, noticeably with the guitar effects and airy vocals.
Bands such as Julie and Fleshwater saw a rise in popularity thanks to TikTok and Gen Z’s desire for more of a classic sound when it comes to music.
Fontaines DC have named My Bloody Valentine as influences for their music, and there is no denying that on their album Romance, there are elements of shoegaze music interlocked with their modern rock sound.
Takeaway
There is no doubt that shoegaze, and those who brought it to light, play an important role in music, both during the movement and long after.
My Bloody Valentine pioneered the sound, and their influence on music as a whole is one that needs to be noted.
