The first time I spun “loveless,” it blew my mind. The second time through, I dove into the context. With a dedicated fanbase, My Bloody Valentine ruled the shoegaze scene of the ’90s. Drenched in fuzzy noise and in-your-face feedback, that album exposed me to a distinct soundscape. Since then, I keep returning for shots of that iconic drone.

With mainstream music, overused, dumbed-down recipes numb the ears of the listeners. On the other hand, the alternative scene produces albums without the constraints of such formulas, which makes it far fresher. 

Subgenres like shoegaze might be a tough pill to swallow initially, but they eventually start to create unique, enjoyable listening environments on each subsequent session. My times with artists on this list transported me to dreamy Midwest garages, a night walk in the crisp air, or afloat in space.

No matter what these colors of music are meant for – late-night music sessions, a colorful background for reading, or just a shot at a more diverse taste, these songs will elevate your playlist to another level.