Do you need to focus on your upcoming exam? From getting distracted easily to needing a boost of motivation, you might need something new to help with your focus. If you tend to play lo-fi music for your study sessions, we think it’s time to switch it up a bit with a different music genre: shoegaze. Let’s recommend five shoegaze singles to add to your study playlist!
WISP
Single: “Your Face”
At nineteen years old, WISP, a nu gaze and alternative rock musician, embarked on her music journey with her outstanding shoegaze single: “Your Face.” The San Francisco local released the song and became a sensation overnight, you might have heard it over on TikTok. If you haven’t, this song has light guitar strums, ethereal vocals, and alluring instrumentals that will keep you captivated. A song worth keeping on loop for your study session. Before you know it, you might dive deep into your studies and have your head boppin’ to the rhythm of the drums. Give this song a whirl!
julie
Single: “skipping tiles”
Up next on the queue is “skipping tiles” by julie! The modern shoegaze and art rock band introduces Keyan MTA as the vocalist and guitarist, Alex Brady as the vocalist and bassist, and lastly Dillon Lee on the drums. They have released many singles, eps, and albums, but we will be talking about a special song from their first EP: pushing daisies. The EP consists of six tracks, but “skipping tiles” outshines the other tracks for its warm yet serene vocals and striking instrumentals. The song goes back and forth with their two vocalists, having a conversation yet a confession about longing for the feeling of being in love. However, once you have it, you need to cherish the sweet moment since it won’t last forever. A track that deserves to be on your rotation when you are stuck on a chapter. Add the song to your study playlist to fall in love with the track and your studies at the same time.
Reno Black
Single: “this is how we end”
Need a little break from studying? Let’s queue up Reno Black’s captivating music for your break time. Reno Black, an indie rock and shoegaze artist, introduced himself to the music scene with his first composed song: “this is how we end.” The single has soft and ambient rock elements with a resemblance to Deftones and Slowdive’s sound. Once you press play, the alluring song feels like a siren luring you into the vast ocean with the guitar strumming your heart strings and his blurred yet ghostly voice slowly makes you feel calm. A short track that will make your break time feel like you had an early summer break, but once the song ends, you will return feeling relaxed yet focused to jump back into studying. Whenever you are ready for your short break, sit back and relax with Reno Black’s “this is how we end.”
whatsaheart
Single: “for her”
Are you feeling refreshed? Let’s jump back into the study session and play another shoegaze single! As you return to your studies, we will be playing a song that you would have never guessed was made on their phone by using BandLab to create the beat and their AirPods to record their vocals. That’s right, you read that correctly. The single, “for her,” was created by an alternative indie and shoegaze artist, whatsaheart, who didn’t need the highest quality music equipment to develop one of his highest-streamed songs. The song describes an obsessive person longing for the one, but they don’t understand the difference between love and lust. In addition, the lyrics, “I will do it all for her … anything she wants me to,” showcase how much the person will go to great lengths for the one to desire them as obsessively as they would. Would you go to great lengths to improve your studies? Try listening to “for her” to focus on your readings.
Midrift
Single: “i remembered to forget”
Need to remember everything for your exam? Midrift might be able to help you with that! Lastly, we have a shoegaze band from Northern California, Midrift, that has been producing and releasing music at a young age. The band consists of Gus Mehrkam, Manoa Neukermans, and Kai Neukermans, who performed live shows together and opened for bands like Glare, Fiddlehead, and Panchiko. It doesn’t stop there. Their music is influenced by Deftones, Title Fight, and Whirr, which is why we are recommending one of their tracks. Their first EP, Dissociated, has a hidden gem within their tracklist called “i remembered to forget,” where you can hear the carefully plucking and strumming of the guitar riffs that make you levitate and dreamy vocals that feel like soft echoes travelling through a foggy forest. An overlooked song that can ironically help you remember and not forget the material for your studies. Put “i remembered to forget” on repeat as you study hard for your exam!
After the long study session, you have discovered a couple of shoegaze songs from underground and well-known artists and bands. Their unique sound of ethereal vocals, dreamlike melodies, and distorted instrumentals can help with your studies due to their repetitive structure and dreamy soundscape that will give you a distraction-free study environment. Who knew a genre could do that? Add these songs to your study playlist and play them at your next study session!