Ethereal Wave

Ethereal wave is a dreamy, atmospheric genre characterized by lush, swirling soundscapes, hypnotic rhythms, and ethereal vocals that often blur the line between language and instrumentation. Emerging in the 1980s, it evolved from post-punk and gothic rock, incorporating elements of ambient, shoegaze, and world music. The genre's golden era spanned the late 1980s to mid-1990s, with key figures drawing on Celtic, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern influences to create a distinctly otherworldly sound. Ethereal wave's cultural significance lies in its creation of an immersive, introspective sonic experience, often conveying a sense of mysticism and emotional depth. Distinguishing it from similar styles like ambient and new age, ethereal wave's use of distorted guitars, driving beats, and haunting vocal techniques injects a sense of tension and urgency, setting it apart as a unique and captivating genre that continues to inspire contemporary musicians.

Latest Ethereal Wave Release
undefined album image
THAT'S SHOWBIZ BABY!
Album - 14 Tracks - Released September 12, 2025

RecentMusic users are tracking 596 Ethereal Wave artists for new releases, and have access to the full timeline of 10,735 releases

Join them and feed your new music addiction, and add the Ethereal Wave artists you love!

Get Started Browse Releases
44 Ardent
::Shefound::
AURORA
Alemeda
An April March
Ayla Nova
Babetna
Black Polish
Bliss Nova
Brassie
Chantress Seba
Collide
Corpus Delicti
Dark Divine
Die Form
Digital Drvgs
Diva Destruction
Dolores Forever
Doomfairy
Dune Moss
Elvya
Enluv
European Vampire
Grace Inspace
Ha Vay
ILO
IONA
Illuzionary
JADE
Jacob David
Jolene Lozano
Kaela
Leo Lind
Lo
Lou Filou
MARION
Megan Wofford
Michael Sowinski
Michele Nobler
Mirá
Mist & Moon
N'John
Nandah
Noah Pology
Oh well.
Oleria
Olivia
Olya Holiday
Oracle Sisters
PRFCT BLU3
Papillon
Ptak
Queenie
Rosa Anschütz
RØRE
Saffron
Saint Avangeline
Sara Kordowska
Scree
Second Harbor
Silk Daisys
Sinazza
Slowheal
Soft Vessels
Starshine Strum
Stygian Fair
The Falcons of Haunt
The Great Park
The Last Dinner Party
The Three Queens
Tralala
Uno Blanket
Wyldest
Yolanda Rae
Yùhé 愈合
Zatsuma
Zeyn
Zubi
alixe.
angel vox
appy
bathhat
chokecherry
cloudyfield
evän
fallen777angel
hello low
lilibu
little blue
lorleaf
m3gan
moonvampire
neptune
nitsué.
sevenlies
spaceluvrrr
stereo roux
too unbothered.
trapeia
whaledontsleep
AURORA
The Last Dinner Party
rainy bear
Olivia
Cocteau Twins
ily
Faye Wong
Pastel Ghost
JADE
Elizabeth Fraser
POESY
Chantress Seba
Txmy
Mist & Moon
Heilung
Jacob David
Oracle Sisters
ILO
cloudyfield
trapeia
too unbothered.
Megami
GEN.KLOUD
blythe
Enluv
sevenlies
Kiki Rockwell
colours in the dark
angel vox
Olya Holiday
Zubi
Dead Can Dance
Nicole Dollanganger
Saint Avangeline
LAV8
Minoire
lilibu
Novino
L0WS
Megan Wofford
alixe.
Santiago Penitente
Isla Cantrell
Miravaldini
The Three Queens
Loomington
whaledontsleep
Ronja Mair
asumuh
Dark Divine
autrioly
Ciara Lowry
daydreamers
lorleaf
little blue
Oleria
Helene Bøksle
Johnny Goth
Michele Nobler
Chxrlotte
Whilst
This Mortal Coil
hozuki
Alemeda
Sinnerella
SWAMP&STAR
Vylana
Starshine Strum
Slowheal
Ayla Nova
Illuzionary
Lorean
PRFCT BLU3
ohlos
mei ehara
Yùhé 愈合
ijustwanttodie
Astrid Whitlock
AstroAether
Rosa Anschütz
Kacey View
Orchid Rain
Center of Jupiter
fallen777angel
IONA
Sylvie
Eirin Nordness
Zatsuma
黄龄
Amalia Booth
Ethel
Rosemary beats
Ha Vay
Afturkalla
Raven's Banquet
slowvibe
Sarah Loca
Somadamantina
Elvya
Dolores Forever