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Waves Of Distortion: The Best Of Shoegaze 1990–2022 (Two Piers)

At the heart of Waves Of Distortion is a huge hole. No compilation claiming to showcase “The Best Of Shoegaze” can be granted much credibility if it omits My Bloody Valentine – or Cocteau Twins, for that matter. That leaves Nathaniel Cramp, founder of the Sonic Cathedral label, rather desperately declaring in the liner notes that Slowdive “are our Velvet Underground”, and making the case for the spurious inclusion of outliers like Kitchens Of Distinction.

If it’s not remotely comprehensive, what then is the point of this double album? To remind us unnecessarily of Lush’s airy prettiness, or of the fact that Ride’s classic Vapour Trail would be even better without Andy Bell’s vocals? To give undue prominence to deservedly forgotten also-rans like Blind Mr Jones and Spirea X?

The compilation does succeed, however, as proof that shoegaze is alive and well, safe in the hands of bdrmm, DIIV and Horsegirl; as a welcome introduction to other contemporary disciples like Airiel and Fleeting Joys; and as evidence of the direction it’s been taken by Mogwai and Beach House. And any album that ends with Galaxie 500’s magical cover of New Order’s Ceremony is going to leave a good impression.

words BEN WOOLHEAD