Formed by Sidewalks and Skeletons and CASHFORGOLD, LA band soft siren does not boast a large catalogue of music as of yet, but the scant singles they have contributed are modern shoegaze masterpieces. An amalgamation of genres, soft siren pull influence from classic shoegaze bands like my bloody valentine and Slowdive while also bringing in west coast psychedelic elements, trip-hop, and dream pop 90’s nostalgia.
“Dethereal” is the band’s fourth single since its 2023 inception, and also its most expansive sound to date. I was listening to the track before it released, beginning research for this article. Fast forward to 1am of March 21st, the release of “Detheral” happening an hour prior. I’m closing at my night shift restaurant job with my earbuds in, beginning the laborious process of closing and cleaning a kitchen and I recognize “Dethereal” randomly coming on. I subsequently listened to the track five times in a row. It’s that good.
Shoegaze is a hard genre to sonically stand out in by nature of its distortion-heavy calling card. soft siren simultaneously bring something new and driving to the genre while still being heavily reminiscent of the pioneers; a fine line to walk. “Dethereal” is surreal, pining, achingly dreamy.
At its core, the track is an abstract portrait of lost love, drawing on images of plastic roses and washed up nostalgia. With a soft, airy start, the vocals soar through the sound of the groove inflected chorus. A bombardment of guitars surrounds you in the unreal world of resonant heartbreak that fans of the genre will dissociatively indulge in.
Stream “Dethereal” below.
