As a genre term, dream pop embodies some of the same characteristics as the music it describes: it’s hazy, ever-shiting, oten undeinable and yet somehow distinctly recognisable. It overlaps with various other genres, most notably shoegaze, and it can veer into indie, pop, ambient, slowcore, post-punk and techno. One could argue records by the likes of My Bloody Valentine, he Cure and Young Marble Giants all drit into the realm of dream pop from time to time but, due to their prominent association with other genres, for the purpose of this list such artists do not feature.
Instead, this essential collection focuses on records that, while certainly touching upon other genres, have come to deine the dream pop term and give it its sonic template. This is a template rich in texture, smothered in immersive atmospheres, swirling melodies and dreamy vocals; a sound that creates a place for listeners to bathe in, to plunge into and get lost and engulfed in. Like the most beautiful of dreams or the most potent of drug experiences, it’s music that can transport you to another place
The term itself is credited to have come from Alex Ayuli of A.R. Kane, a pivotal band who also feature here, and it came to prominence in the late 80s and early 90s. Instead of focusing on verses and choruses, or being led by rifs on guitars, the music favoured a more ambiguous and oten abstract route – moving at a slower pace and unfurling like fog, moving in unpredictable ways and sneaking up on you. In order to provide an eclectic presentation of records from the genre, no artist features more than twice in this list, but that’s not to say they don’t merit inclusion. Cocteau Twins for example, arguably the deining band of the genre, could rightfully be featured here multiple times. While as a genre dream pop largely had its boom period during the 1990s, there are artists that have carried forward the momentum, taking it into new places or simply keeping it alive. In order to capture a sense of this evolution, some more contemporary releases have also been included here.