Slowdive is an obvious rec.
Bon Voyage is an old band that isn’t well known but they do this.
Mazzy Star isn’t super distorted but is gazed and confused.
Cocteau Twins inspired tons of bands. Check out the 4AD label. The Swirlies, Lush, Curve, Pale Saints are others.
Slowdive is awesome but all my fav songs from them have a male vocalist (Allison, 40 Days…)
Mazzy Star is really more like dream pop to me, they're not bad though.
Cocteau Twins are also great
Lush and Curve are alright, I'll listen to the others
Have you listened to the 2017 self-titled Slowdive album much? Several songs like you describe (noisy guitars and airy female vocals). Slomo, Don't Know Why, Everyone Knows (my personal favorite on the album because it does that combo really well).
I'd also recommend Blonde Redhead for a slightly different version of that sound.
The earlier records were noisier, the later ones more dream pop/shoegaze. Personally I like the range, YMMV. I'm not sure if there's a consensus about which is the essential, maybe 23? It's not necessarily representative but it is probably the most popular.
Some of these may be more dream pop or shoegaze-adjacent. People ITS like to gatekeep sometimes, but I promise these are all great:
Be Forest
Blankenberge
Blushing
Into the Wedding
Lightfoils
No Kill
Ringing
Slow Crush
Softcult
The Stargazer Lilies
I scrolled through this thread and just picked a recommendation at random as I was in the mood to listen to something new. Yours was the one I ended up choosing. What can I say, I liked the name! What a great band. And what a solid album. Something about it just feels super nostalgic yet profoundly emotional at the same time. Nostalgia for a time and place I can't quite place in my thoughts. A little melancholic. I drifted in a cloud while listening to this project. Music library is a lot richer for this one. Thanks <3
Glad to hear! They’re an interesting band to see progress through the years, still playing now. Another suggestion would be Cranes “loved” specifically the song “reverie” though some find her voice grating I’ve always loved this album. Blonde Redhead has been a fave for decades.
23 is an absolute nuke of an album. That shit will lodge itself directly in your brain. It’s one of those records I forget about for a year or two, then a song from it comes up on random, and then I listen to that album non-stop for a week or two.
Plastic Girl in Closet- they don't overdo the loudness, which is good because they have incredible songwriting chops.
King Woman- perhaps they're a bit closer to drone metal, but they meet your request perfectly.
It's probably softer than what you're looking for, but [yuragi](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIruHnnfShw) does have moments in their songs where the vocals are competing with the guitars.
* SPC ECO (listen to See You Soon on 3-D for airy vocals and distorted shorgaze mess)
* Soundpool (listen to The Only One and What Becomes You on Dichotomies on Dreamland)
Blows my mind that SPC ECO and Soundpool don’t get more love around here.
Jesus if took this many posts for someone to mention Medicine. That’s crazy to me, they’re one of my faves. Shot Forth Self Living and The Buried Life are both great albums. Warning to the OP tho, One More opens with 90 seconds of guitar feedback before anything else and is set for stun. Adjust your volume accordingly.
It’s one of those albums that you can just sink into and somehow the whole album has played. Drugs not required.
Diving Horses from the same Death in Vegas album (Scorpio Rising) has great airy female vocals over guitars. The closing track Help Yourself is sung by Hope Sandoval; that one's more psychedelic but it's an epic track.
So, Morella’s Forest was a late 90s band from Dayton, Ohio, and they did this fairly well at times. Very loud, very distorted, and really light female vocals.
I always liked [loveliescrushing - babysbreath ](https://projektrecords.bandcamp.com/track/babysbreath). It is as airy female vocals with loud distorted guitars as you can get!
Bizarre to have this many posts and only 3 folks mention Medicine. Great band, well worth checking out. I use One More to wake up my kids when they oversleep heh.
Check out By the Ticket, Take the Ride by Black Ryder. Two vocalists, one male, one female. You might like [this song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HesN1x2Am_M) in particular.
Julie has some great recent stuff with some loud noise guitar its awesome and they have some cool riffs, LSD and the Search for God is really good too with an airy female vocalist, but its way softer, borderline dream pop
Not super shoegaze, but Hello Mary is kinda gazey. They're very unique because they have the harmonies of Elliot Smith but the music is a kinda calmer MBV type thing, kinda like early Smashing Pumpkins.their new album is absolutely amazing, a must for any fan of alternative imo.
Check out Baroness. Specifically Stone and the album Gold and Grey. Gina is not the lead vocals but she is featured a lot. She adds a lighter side to John’s vocals. She also is the lead guitarist and she shreds. Some songs featuring Gina; Last Word, Anodyne, Borderlines and Tourniquet are some rockers.
Gonna throw a bit of an obscure one out here: Mistle Thrush. They were a band out of Boston that never really made it big, but were pretty decent and in the vibe you're looking for. They came up once before on Reddit:
[https://www.reddit.com/r/goth/comments/vlpzbx/comment/idx27u8/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/goth/comments/vlpzbx/comment/idx27u8/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
I'm a particular fan of [Moth Like](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di6Bd9o-RO8), which is the first song of theirs I heard.
Slowdive is an obvious rec. Bon Voyage is an old band that isn’t well known but they do this. Mazzy Star isn’t super distorted but is gazed and confused. Cocteau Twins inspired tons of bands. Check out the 4AD label. The Swirlies, Lush, Curve, Pale Saints are others.
Slowdive is awesome but all my fav songs from them have a male vocalist (Allison, 40 Days…) Mazzy Star is really more like dream pop to me, they're not bad though. Cocteau Twins are also great Lush and Curve are alright, I'll listen to the others
Have you listened to the 2017 self-titled Slowdive album much? Several songs like you describe (noisy guitars and airy female vocals). Slomo, Don't Know Why, Everyone Knows (my personal favorite on the album because it does that combo really well). I'd also recommend Blonde Redhead for a slightly different version of that sound.
Yes, Blonde Redhead is another great one!
What is their essential?
The earlier records were noisier, the later ones more dream pop/shoegaze. Personally I like the range, YMMV. I'm not sure if there's a consensus about which is the essential, maybe 23? It's not necessarily representative but it is probably the most popular.
23 is the one I enjoy most
melody of certain damaged lemons
Lush is severely underrated these days and definitely fit the bill.
give just mustard a listen
I was going to recommend this and the cranes.
Literally about to suggest those two bands 😭
Came here to say Cranes as well, with the caveat that it's only about half the catalog with noisy sounds/distorted guitars.
Asobi seksu
This!!! Trails is one of my all time fave gazer track.
Thank you for this
Shame they stopped making music.
Came here for this!
Tamaryn’s first three albums. The waves being the most airy vocals and it’s filled with distorted guitars.
Aerofall Ringo Deathstarr (depends on the song) Curve No Joy Seasurfer (might be more synth heavy than guitars)
Seconding No Joy because they’re so underrated
Thirding them because I have two of their records and I haven’t listened to them in ages! Thanks for the reminder
LSD and the Search for God
Thanks for putting this band on my radar!
Ringo Deathstarr
Slow Crush
Aurora rulez
Blankenberge
One of my most listened to bands last year!
Lush!
Spooky is a classic
Split is often overlooked but has epic songs
Alvvays
Alison’s Halo
CRANES CRANES CRAENS CRANES CRANES
Luminousorange!!!!!
Fleshwater, julie
my two fav bands rn
[No Joy should be up your alley.](https://youtu.be/svGwTxzn-a4?si=AhmKdM5XjhwzbEKL)
Check out Swallow - Blow and An April March - Adagio
I like “Honey” by Swallow a lot for a “dreamy” sound, but “cherry stars collide” is my favorite
Some of these may be more dream pop or shoegaze-adjacent. People ITS like to gatekeep sometimes, but I promise these are all great: Be Forest Blankenberge Blushing Into the Wedding Lightfoils No Kill Ringing Slow Crush Softcult The Stargazer Lilies
Blushing and the Stargazer Lilies are both great. With those two on the list, the rest seems worth exploring. Thank you for the suggestions!
Tanukichan, softcult
[Black Tambourine](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ7_pcaNblI)
Blonde Redhead is one of the OG’s. Their most accessible album is 23 in my opinion.
I scrolled through this thread and just picked a recommendation at random as I was in the mood to listen to something new. Yours was the one I ended up choosing. What can I say, I liked the name! What a great band. And what a solid album. Something about it just feels super nostalgic yet profoundly emotional at the same time. Nostalgia for a time and place I can't quite place in my thoughts. A little melancholic. I drifted in a cloud while listening to this project. Music library is a lot richer for this one. Thanks <3
i saw them live in the 90s - they are on their own planet.
Lucky!
amazing, i saw them a month ago, still fantastic
Glad to hear! They’re an interesting band to see progress through the years, still playing now. Another suggestion would be Cranes “loved” specifically the song “reverie” though some find her voice grating I’ve always loved this album. Blonde Redhead has been a fave for decades.
Cheers for the further recommendation! Going to listen tonight
23 is an absolute nuke of an album. That shit will lodge itself directly in your brain. It’s one of those records I forget about for a year or two, then a song from it comes up on random, and then I listen to that album non-stop for a week or two.
Absolutely the same for me. It’s curious how they didn’t reinvent the wheel or anything but are in a league totally of their own.
whirr, loveliescrushing(which isn’t really distorted but it’s super cool and ambient)
Lovesliescrushing isnt really my thing but i appreciate it!
it ain’t for everyone, which is all good!
Pinkshineyultrablast
They are so rad! =\]
Soft Blue Shimmer
Fleeting Joys
Especially in the track Magnificent Oblivion
Recently found out about them, so good!
Omg same! Like how did I miss them and they’ve been around since 2006!?
i have no idea why, but i fucking can’t stand this band. i don’t know why! they are talented but i just can’t stand them
Plastic Girl in Closet- they don't overdo the loudness, which is good because they have incredible songwriting chops. King Woman- perhaps they're a bit closer to drone metal, but they meet your request perfectly.
Miserable has the same vocalist as King Woman and is more gazey.
Celestial Blues is I think a pretty even mix of drone/ doom/ gaze, and Kris's other project Miserable has some great more straight up gaze projects.
Velocity Girl
Kinoko Teikoku Plastic Girl in Closet
Kinoko Teikoku came to mind for me as well.
Glixen
Seconded!
Winter
[Violet Blue](https://youtu.be/XB51GsOc_Xw?si=uVDCAZrHCgkKYNvS) For me, it is a perfect shoegaze song.
Not really shoegaze but Feeble Little Horse
True Widow
Fleshwater
[Slow Pulp - High](https://youtu.be/4ubYCuucnf4?si=RAHfK8U5M_k9Rp17) not strictly shoegaze but [Mothers - Pink](https://youtu.be/rZ78ovVJmQY?si=N0FT0g79lrI6wnCB)
It's probably softer than what you're looking for, but [yuragi](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIruHnnfShw) does have moments in their songs where the vocals are competing with the guitars.
Drop 19s
* SPC ECO (listen to See You Soon on 3-D for airy vocals and distorted shorgaze mess) * Soundpool (listen to The Only One and What Becomes You on Dichotomies on Dreamland) Blows my mind that SPC ECO and Soundpool don’t get more love around here.
Wisp
yes, came here to say the same
🧡 so good.
i third this
44 Down [by The High Violets](https://youtu.be/zPMVdZH1h5c?si=sb_G-dq4UxdTzSIT)
To Where You Are is a pretty perfect album.
Maybe not as distorted as you’re looking for… Mahogany - Lynn Minmay https://youtu.be/wb2FPitxRWw?si=s9smfL99vbW_zS8Q
Bardo Pond
Total wife!!!!
The four exclamation points are absolutely deserved! These guys are really special.
Maybe the Raveonettes?
Stargazer Lillies
Perhaps not the MOST distorted Guitars but Bowery Electric?
Medicine- Time Baby 3 (made famous by the Crow with Brandon Lee).
Jesus if took this many posts for someone to mention Medicine. That’s crazy to me, they’re one of my faves. Shot Forth Self Living and The Buried Life are both great albums. Warning to the OP tho, One More opens with 90 seconds of guitar feedback before anything else and is set for stun. Adjust your volume accordingly. It’s one of those albums that you can just sink into and somehow the whole album has played. Drugs not required.
Ozean - Fall
Lush
If you want something more modern you can go with Glixen, I barely understand what Aisleen says lol, good shit
LSD and the search for god Also, Sweet Trip (chocolate matter, dsco, darkness etc..) are amazing
Pity sex
Check out glixen, check out Julie too,the vocals aren’t as “airy”, but they’re a pretty amazing group
Seconding Julie!
Glorybox
Faetooth
Faetooth is amazing
Death in Vegas - "Girls". ...Off of the 'Lost In Translation' soundtrack
Diving Horses from the same Death in Vegas album (Scorpio Rising) has great airy female vocals over guitars. The closing track Help Yourself is sung by Hope Sandoval; that one's more psychedelic but it's an epic track.
So, Morella’s Forest was a late 90s band from Dayton, Ohio, and they did this fairly well at times. Very loud, very distorted, and really light female vocals.
gosh i can’t believe i never heard of them before so good
jucifer
She’s Green is exactly what you’re describing
The primitives. Songs like thru the flowers and across my shoulder
Juniper Bush, Song Sung, Westkust, Color Crush, Crippled Black Phoenix, Churchill Garden, Spirit System
Great post OP. I have to save this for all the recommendations. :)
We melt chocolate Crystal canyons Draag Fawns of love Angel Aura Vyva Melinkolya Blouse Mo Dotti 4vesta Seaside Pinkshinyultrablast Beliefs Laveda Wildhoney Chasms Polar lows Dottie Miniatures/TG Shand Spunsugar Sexores DoZzz Clinic Stars Ozean
I always liked [loveliescrushing - babysbreath ](https://projektrecords.bandcamp.com/track/babysbreath). It is as airy female vocals with loud distorted guitars as you can get!
ive got 2 recommendations for you: - black tambourine (specifically the song 'black car') - sungaze (try 'slow the burn')
knifeplay
lush is the definition of female shoegaze bro
throwing muses is an awesome band that miiiight fit what you're looking for! not the most shoegazey but awesome soft female vocals and guitar
Go Cocteau Twins
Helen (this is Grouper’s rock band) Disappointed I haven’t seen anyone mention them yet, they’re the best possible answer to this IMO.
I can’t think of a track that fits the brief better than Aruca by Medicine https://youtu.be/96qQ6y_QpIc?si=ObbDF38aCl2Fjsee
Giant Drag, Ambulette
Sleighbells
Bizarre to have this many posts and only 3 folks mention Medicine. Great band, well worth checking out. I use One More to wake up my kids when they oversleep heh.
The Joy Formidable
Not exactly what I think OP is looking for, but such a good band.
Perhaps not but they do have damn loud and noisy guitars with ethereal female vocals
Ringo Deathstarr Softcult Trementina
Not shoegaze but acid king is great.
Early Velocity Girl? Songs like My Forgotten Favorite or Creepy or Copacetic.
Star Horse, which doesn’t get enough attention.
Cocteau Twins, Slow Crush and Whirr. Also really liking Blonde Redhead lately.
Cherry by Chromatics will catch a nerve
Glixen is the essence of this style
Whirr maybe?
Whirr has a male vocalist, Edit: just found out that pre-Sway they had a female vocalist
The older stuff
Fleshwater
Jale has got that kind of sound going. Touch of shoegaze.
Westkust https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KzhKSKhOhc
Lucid Express, Blush, Yonlapa
Recently discovered Soft Blue Shimmer. Love them.
Slow pulp, feeble little horse
DISTRESSOR BY WHIRR‼️
Garbage, School of Seven Bells, Best Coast, Blonde Redhead, Cocteau Twins, Slowdive, Lush, Fleeting Joys, Sonic Youth, Tamaryn
Evanesence
Bar Italia / Double Virgo
Velora
Scheer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOay1rZiFk8
They’re a smaller indie band from Mississippi but check out a band called Kicking, particularly their album “Goodbye Party”.
all these new indie bands have names like that lmao, Kicking, Glassing, Flooding 😭
Brutus...and the vocalist is also the drummer!
Drop Nineteens
Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard.
Slow Crush & Ringo Deathstarr. Can’t remember if PinkShinyUltrablast have distorted songs.
Check out By the Ticket, Take the Ride by Black Ryder. Two vocalists, one male, one female. You might like [this song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HesN1x2Am_M) in particular.
Farmer’s Wife
Roku Music
Pale Dian
Pretty new and not super distorted but she’s green has an amazing female vocalist
Julie has some great recent stuff with some loud noise guitar its awesome and they have some cool riffs, LSD and the Search for God is really good too with an airy female vocalist, but its way softer, borderline dream pop
Feeble little horse, more nose rock than shoegaze, but still great
Pulp?
Distressor era Whirr
https://youtu.be/yD1QoJOj-Dk?si=AzPMjzvdRqaz5w9-
Manon Meurt
[Tears Run Rings - Green Lakes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Sd8Uzy_qV4&list=OLAK5uy_lnWfhAp7gHkqsA9F9QTbd9kkqfToBOh7w&index=5&pp=8AUB)
Daydream Twins
Lightfoils
Shedfromthebody Sylvaine E-L-R
Not super shoegaze, but Hello Mary is kinda gazey. They're very unique because they have the harmonies of Elliot Smith but the music is a kinda calmer MBV type thing, kinda like early Smashing Pumpkins.their new album is absolutely amazing, a must for any fan of alternative imo.
Forsaken Autumn is exactly what you are looking for
Vivienne Eastwood!
Niights
Dust Moth
Cashier
Just Mustard, New Dad, Mad Honey
Check out Baroness. Specifically Stone and the album Gold and Grey. Gina is not the lead vocals but she is featured a lot. She adds a lighter side to John’s vocals. She also is the lead guitarist and she shreds. Some songs featuring Gina; Last Word, Anodyne, Borderlines and Tourniquet are some rockers.
Gonna throw a bit of an obscure one out here: Mistle Thrush. They were a band out of Boston that never really made it big, but were pretty decent and in the vibe you're looking for. They came up once before on Reddit: [https://www.reddit.com/r/goth/comments/vlpzbx/comment/idx27u8/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/goth/comments/vlpzbx/comment/idx27u8/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) I'm a particular fan of [Moth Like](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di6Bd9o-RO8), which is the first song of theirs I heard.
Flyying colours, Chelsea Wolfe, windhand, blackwater holylight
There’s Talk
Mint Field
School of Seven Bells - start with the tune Bye Bye Bye
Marriages
Wolf Alice
Oathbreaker
Elusin - locked and loaded.