‘Luster' Review: Maria Somerville's Irish Dream-Pop Melodies
Shoegaze and dream-pop, two closely related genres that took hold in the 1980s and '90s, have formed an especially strong connection with younger listeners in this decade. Debates about the precise definitions of and lines between the two styles are contentious. Both are deeply atmospheric and make heavy use of guitar distortion, drone and reverb. Shoegaze, which draws its name from the tendency of guitarists in the style to constantly look down at the variety of pedal boards at their feet, is louder and more abrasive, while dream-pop is softer and gentler. Perhaps because the latter is vibe-based music that works well when experienced in solitude, it's become a kind of social-media soundtrack, serving as background music for posts that riff on sadness, loneliness and intimacy.
The quintessential dream-pop band of the past 20 years had been Beach House, but many younger acts take that group's moody song-based aesthetic and dissolve it further until it transforms into ambient music. Grouper, the solo project of Oregon-based producer Liz Harris, might be the most influential in this gauzier realm, and Irish singer-songwriter Maria Somerville is one of many young artists who have followed her lead. Ms. Somerville's self-released 2019 debut album, 'All My People,' was short and roughly recorded, but her songwriting ability was clear even amid the murk. Her second LP, 'Luster' (4AD), out Friday, is a considerable upgrade, and it confirms that she's among the most promising figures to emerge from these intersecting scenes.
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