If Gen Z isn’t close to discovering these underrated shoegaze bands , then they really should be. Several 90s shoegaze/nu-gaze icons like Slowdive and Deftones have already had a resurgence for a new generation thanks to TikTok. In fact, the subgenre as a whole has earned renewed attention in recent years, with Gen Z listeners discovering classing shoegaze but also starting their own bands. These young musicians put their own spin on the genre, but it never hurts to know the history.

The Radio Dept.

The Radio Dept. formed in Sweden in 1998 as the dream pop/shoegaze duo of Johan Duncanson and Martin Larsson. Several other members joined in 2001, but the lasting lineup remains Duncanson, Larsson, and Daniel Tjäder. They released their debut album, Lesser Matters , in 2003, so The Radio Dept. technically doesn’t quite fall within the 90s shoegaze time frame.

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However, some of their influences and sound stem from that time, when shoegaze was emerging from the dregs of post-punk.…