Popgaze is a music genre characterized by its dreamy, swirling soundscapes, often blending the jangly guitars and catchy hooks of indie pop with the swirling, effects-heavy textures of shoegaze. Emerging in the 2000s, popgaze drew inspiration from 80s and 90s indie rock, as well as noise and psychedelic traditions. The genre's popularity peaked around the 2010s, with its laid-back, nostalgia-tinged sound resonating with a generation of musicians and listeners seeking a more introspective, less polished alternative to mainstream indie rock. Popgaze's cultural significance lies in its rejection of traditional rock structures in favor of atmospheric, introspective explorations of sound and mood. Notable for its blend of fuzzed-out guitars, hypnotic rhythms, and ethereal vocal styles, popgaze occupies a distinct space between shoegaze, indie rock, and dream pop, standing out for its unique fusion of melodic sensibility and sonic experimentation.

Water Map

Dustin Wong

Album - 8 Tracks - Released September 6, 2024