Blushing

Reminds of: Cocteau Twins, The Cure, Lush, Curve, My Bloody Valentine, The Verve, Ride

Links to music in blue. 

​There’s something that about the term ‘dream pop’ that makes me feel nauseous. Its sounds so naff. What is it describing exactly? Pop and all its interpretations and dreams? What’s that all about?

Austin Texas band Blushing use the term ‘dream pop’ to describe themselves and I wish they wouldn’t. I was ready to completely dismiss them on the basis of that association, but I thought I’d at least give them a listen and I’m glad that I did as it turns out that they’re actually rather good.

​The band are comprised of two married couples, Michelle and Jake Soto, and Christina and Noe Carmona. They self-released their debut EP ‘Tether in 2017, followed by another EP ‘Weak’ on Austin Town Hall records in 2018. Later that year they released ‘The Truth’ single via The Nothing Song Records and their eponymously titled debut album, produced by Elliott Frazier of Ringo Deathstarr came out last month.

The album starts with So Many, starting like something from ‘The Top’ era The Cure and ending with a fierce guitar crescendo. A good start.

The My Bloody Valentine-like Dream Merchants is next, followed by fan favourite The Last Time which sounds a bit like Lush and describes having to endure a job or a situation a job you hate. Another fan favourite ‘Control’ describes the ability of your own thoughts, memories and feelings to exact control over you, according to guitarist/vocalist Michelle.

There’s a very Cocteau Twins like feel throughout the album, especially on tracks like Control, Pressure, The Truth and Sunshine, which is of course no bad thing. Sunshine in particular, sounds like Pearly Dewdrops Drop. In other places, such as on album closer Her which sounds like something you’d find on the Verve’s ‘Storm in Heaven’, the band drift into shoegaze territory, which they do very well.

Despite the ‘dream pop’ thing, I’d recommend giving Blushing a good listening too, particularly if you’re a fan of shoegaze or early 80’s post punk/indie. Shimmering Guitars one minute, heavy fuzz the next and ethereal vocals throughout, what’s not to like?

The band are touring across the states in November with Ringo Deathstarr.

www.blushingmusic.com
weareblushing.bandcamp.com
facebook.com/weareblushing
soundcloud.com/weareblushing
twitter.com/blushingband