If It's Too Loud...

European bands don't always come to the States often, or at all. (And, really, who could blame them currently?) When Belgium's Slow Crush played Sonia back in 2022, I missed it and thought that might have been my only chance. As soon as they announced a return to Boston this past Saturday night, I knew I couldn't miss this one. Heavy shoegaze is currently having a moment, and Slow Crush might be the finest of the genre. The quartet took the stage and completely owned it for over an hour. Their sound not only adds a heavy darkness to the shoegaze genre, but also kind of a pop sensibility. They're about as catchy as you can get in this style of music while still adding in the nearly metal level of heavy. Plus, even though shoegaze bands aren't exactly known for energy to the point that it's literally in the name of the genre, Slow Crush brought a crushing energy to their live show. Saturday night was kind of a crazy night for entertainment choices in Boston with i...

Photo by Stefaan Temmerman Slow Crush are one of the best up and coming shoegaze bands out there, possibly due to their embrace of shoegaze traditions but their refusal to follow them blindly. For their latest single, "Bloodmoon," the Belgian band have created another sonic world, with a jerky style that feels like it's pulling you somewhere you don't want to go. Suddenly, about halfway through, the song pauses to right itself, and then the wall of fuzz washes over you. This song is intense, yet also calming, and somehow remains beautiful throughout. It also will cause and then treat your anxiety. While staying within the confines of shoegaze, Slow Crush find a way to break free into something oddly refreshing. Slow Crush say of their latest single: “In the absence of light only the darkness remains. In this dark void we feel lost without purpose or spark while time slips through our fingers like sand. ‘Bloodmoon’ is about the struggles and pain of a passionate and pu...

Photo by Stefaan Temmerman Belgian shoegaze band Slow Crush have a new single out that helps define the heavy shoegaze genre. "While You Dream Vividly" starts out as quiet as a lullaby before it kicks in with enough force to knock a listener backwards. The traditional wall of sound blasts you back with fuzzed out guitars and pounding drums before occasionally relenting to let you catch your breath. It's also the type of song that is loud and heavy without being fast. Despite all the noise and volume, "While You Dream Vividly" is a gorgeous song for those that find beauty in noise. Slow Crush always seem to provide us with special auditory treats in the way that only they can. Even by their usual standards, this one is a delight. Slow Crush says of their latest single: “We wanted to capture the sensation of being tethered to someone yet drifting weightlessly, lost in the surreal beauty of the moment."  You can watch the video for "While You Dream Vividl...

Photo by Stefaan Temmerman Slow Crush has a new single out, and whether or not you enjoy classic shoegaze or heavy shoegaze, you're going to love this one. "Thirst" has all of that slow moving, hazy sound you associate with the more traditional version of the genre. The drums, however, are more along the lines of heavy shoegaze. The dichotomy of the soft and slow versus the heavy and pounding is what makes this new single so endearing. Plus, there is some guitar that borders and crosses over into more of a metal territory, all while still sounding shoegazey. "Thirst" sounds like if Hum had decided to spend more time delving into shoegaze and less into alt-rock. Slow Crush say of their latest single: “‘Thirst’ is about an unquenchable desire for what’s next, with focus on essence and balance. Not losing yourself in the ever-growing distractions that surround us. A yearning pulse for renewal, ‘Thirst’ ripples with a craving for something pure, something vital. It ...

Photo by Stefaan Temmerman It's been about four years since we've brought you new music from Slow Crush, but luckily the Belgian band is back with new music. "Cherry" is a giant shoegaze meets 90's alt-rock song. Shoegaze tends to be a genre of big sounds, and it doesn't get much bigger than this one. It starts off as a fairly standard example of the genre, albeit a heavier one. As it goes on, the song starts going in unexpected directions, more along the lines of Hum and Sonic Youth than My Bloody Valentine or Slowdive. But that's one of the things we love about Slow Crush. "Cherry" is the style of shoegaze that envelops you in its warm embrace while simultaneously pummeling you with sonic aggression. Slow Crush say of their latest single: "Wistful longing for something fresh and new, creating a stormy and effervescent anthology. Evoking an almost thematic cascade of noise that echoes the end and bursts into new life. ‘Cherry’ feels like th...

Artist : Aaron and the Lord Album : Aaron and the Lord Quick Thoughts : I've honestly been hit and miss on Aaron Perrino's work - The Sheila Divine, which is probably as close to legendary indie act in Boston as there can be, never quite did it for me, while I felt the Dear Leader project was truly great and I enjoyed No Hope/No Harm - but this newer side project is super solid. It's certainly alt rock, but it's also got some off-center concepts around it, and some of the songs featuring Tanya Donnelly feel truly inspired. I'd recommend it for any Perrino fans out there, but especially those who like to listen to him when he treads off the beaten path. Songs of Note : "Helpful Visions," "World on Edge" Artist : Jackson+Sellers Album : Breaking Point Quick Thoughts : I love both Jade Jackson and Aubrie Sellers, but I somehow completely missed the part where they were joining forced on a rockin' roots effort. This is a great listen...

Photo by Kat De Laet Last month I brought you "Hush," the latest single from Belgian shoegaze band Slow Crush. I absolutely gushed about it, which I was hesitant to do. As much as I loved the single, there are many, many bands that I'll feverishly praise a single of, and then am less than impressed by the second single. And even less once the album comes out. Luckily, "Swoon" is more than worthy of my gushing praise. "Swoon" is this huge wall of shoegaze noise type of song. It starts off like a disjointed Sonic Youth breakdown, but once the song takes off, it does at a pace not typically associated with shoegaze. This is loud and fast shoegaze, but with Isa Holliday providing the almost ASMR level soothing vocals you usually find in the genre. Now that we have two fantastic singles from Slow Crush we can officially start fanboying out over their upcoming album. You can watch the video for "Swoon" below. Hush is due out October 22 on Quiet Pan...

Photo by Kat De Laet I don't know a huge amount about Belgium, but Belgian shoegaze just sounds right. Slow Crush's latest single, "Hush," is exactly what I want out of shoegaze. It starts off a bit quiet and twee, and then just erupts into a wall of noise that is going to just blow you back. It's a wall of fuzzy and swirling guitars and hypnotic vocals that, despite its volume, almost lulls you into relaxation. There is a loud/quiet/loud factor, but the periods of loud and quiet each last long enough that it doesn't truly matter. This is the kind of vintage shoegaze you crave deep down and need. Luckily, Slow Crush is back to give it to us. You can watch the video for "Hush" below. Hush is due out October 22 on Quiet Panic. You can pre-order the album here . For more on Slow Crush, check out the band's website .