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{{trope}}
{{Useful Notes}}
Dream Pop. [[Sweet Dreams Fuel|It sounds really lovely and you can fall asleep to it]].
[[Dream Pop]]. [[Sweet Dreams Fuel|It sounds really lovely and you can fall asleep to it]].


Dream pop is a specific subgenre of [[Alternative Rock]] that emerged in the middle of [[The Eighties]], and is commonly associated with the label 4AD Records. As befitting its name, dream pop lies in the middle between [[Ambient]] music and pop: it borrows the emphasis on ethereal soundscapes typical of the former and applies it to the catchy melodies of the latter. Theoretically this gives it the best of both worlds, since it avoids both ambient's excessive monotony or [[True Art Is Incomprehensible|inscrutability]] and pop's shallower tendencies. In troper terms, it's basically the musical equivalent of [[Scenery Porn]].
Dream pop is a specific subgenre of [[Alternative Rock]] that emerged in the middle of [[The Eighties]], and is commonly associated with the label 4AD Records. As befitting its name, dream pop lies in the middle between [[Ambient]] music and pop: it borrows the emphasis on ethereal soundscapes typical of the former and applies it to the catchy melodies of the latter. Theoretically this gives it the best of both worlds, since it avoids both ambient's excessive monotony or [[True Art Is Incomprehensible|inscrutability]] and pop's shallower tendencies. In troper terms, it's basically the musical equivalent of [[Scenery Porn]].
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Dream pop's indie status means that its bands don't have access to incredibly advanced equipment or funds in their quest for sonic beauty. Typical characteristics of the genre include heavily processed guitars and synthesizers, breathy, high-pitched generally female vocals - the occasional male vocals show up but they tend to be just as breathy - and heavy use of [[Echoing Acoustics|reverb and echo]] to give the songs a sort of celestial atmosphere. Basically, you can think of dream pop as the musical equivalent of [[Scenery Porn]] with a tendency to [[Perishing Alt Rock Voice]]. Thanks to its association with 4AD, the genre even had its own distinctive visual identity thanks to Vaughan Oliver and v23's work for that label: [[Minimalistic Cover Art]] designs employing very blurry imagery and occasional use of [[Deliberately Monochrome]].
Dream pop's indie status means that its bands don't have access to incredibly advanced equipment or funds in their quest for sonic beauty. Typical characteristics of the genre include heavily processed guitars and synthesizers, breathy, high-pitched generally female vocals - the occasional male vocals show up but they tend to be just as breathy - and heavy use of [[Echoing Acoustics|reverb and echo]] to give the songs a sort of celestial atmosphere. Basically, you can think of dream pop as the musical equivalent of [[Scenery Porn]] with a tendency to [[Perishing Alt Rock Voice]]. Thanks to its association with 4AD, the genre even had its own distinctive visual identity thanks to Vaughan Oliver and v23's work for that label: [[Minimalistic Cover Art]] designs employing very blurry imagery and occasional use of [[Deliberately Monochrome]].


Generally, if someone says "dream pop", they're most likely thinking of bands in [[The Eighties]] on the 4AD label, such as [[Dead Can Dance]], [[Cocteau Twins]], Dif Juz and the genre's own [[Supergroup]], [[This Mortal Coil]]. These bands represent dream pop's "classic sound" - all instruments and voices soaked in reverb, breathy vocals, introspective themes and creating a wall of sound out of generally sparse instrumentation <ref>even the more arrangement-heavy dream pop bands like the Cocteaus stuck to the standard guitar-bass-drums-keyboards lineup; only [[This Mortal Coil]] really used string sections, and even they stuck to minimal arrangements instead of overproduction</ref>, adding up to something that, all snarkery aside, is really quite beautiful. Most dream pop bands varied in terms of emotion between [[Tear Jerker|somber and depressing]], [[Nightmare Fuel|terrifying]] and [[Sweet Dreams Fuel|optimistic]]. Still, not every band on 4AD was dream pop ([[The Pixies]], [[The Breeders]], Colourbox and [[Throwing Muses]] were on the label) and not every dream pop band was on 4AD (Cranes, The Passions, Bel Canto, Galaxie 500 and The Dream Academy among many others were on other labels). While dream pop was intially a pretty unified genre, variations on the basic "ethereal soundscapes + pop melodies" formula soon appeared, in particular bands that focused more on guitars than synths. Pretty soon, the genre started splintering into a ton of other subgenres as well: Low went into [[Slowcore]], Mazzy Star smashed together [[Dream Pop]], [[Shoegazing]] and [[Psychedelic Rock]], [[Love Spirals Downwards]] went into electronica, and so on.
Generally, if someone says "dream pop", they're most likely thinking of bands in [[The Eighties]] on the 4AD label, such as [[Dead Can Dance]], [[Cocteau Twins]], Dif Juz and the genre's own [[Supergroup]], [[This Mortal Coil]]. These bands represent dream pop's "classic sound" - all instruments and voices soaked in reverb, breathy vocals, introspective themes and creating a wall of sound out of generally sparse instrumentation,<ref>even the more arrangement-heavy dream pop bands like the Cocteaus stuck to the standard guitar-bass-drums-keyboards lineup; only [[This Mortal Coil]] really used string sections, and even they stuck to minimal arrangements instead of overproduction</ref> adding up to something that, all snarkery aside, is really quite beautiful. Most dream pop bands varied in terms of emotion between [[Tear Jerker|somber and depressing]], [[Nightmare Fuel|terrifying]] and [[Sweet Dreams Fuel|optimistic]]. Still, not every band on 4AD was dream pop ([[The Pixies]], [[The Breeders]], Colourbox and [[Throwing Muses]] were on the label) and not every dream pop band was on 4AD (Cranes, The Passions, Bel Canto, Galaxie 500 and The Dream Academy among many others were on other labels). While dream pop was intially a pretty unified genre, variations on the basic "ethereal soundscapes + pop melodies" formula soon appeared, in particular bands that focused more on guitars than synths. Pretty soon, the genre started splintering into a ton of other subgenres as well: Low went into [[Slowcore]], Mazzy Star smashed together '''Dream Pop''', [[Shoegazing]] and [[Psychedelic Rock]], [[Love Spirals Downwards]] went into electronica, and so on.


Dream pop was an important influence on the emergence of [[Shoegazing]], and starting with [[The Nineties]] the two genres began cross-breeding and eventually became indistinguishable. You're not likely to find many [[Dream Pop]] bands that use the "classic sound" of the Cocteaus or This Mortal Coil anymore, although there are a few new bands, such as [[Beach House]], that continue the "traditional" dream pop sound. There aren't many of these, but they're pretty popular amongst indie kids. Instead, there's a ton of bands that are somewhere between dream pop and shoegazing (which in itself could be called [[Dream Pop]] taken [[Up to Eleven]]), most likely thrown under the umbrella term "post-rock" - a good example of this would be [[Sigur Ros]].
Dream pop was an important influence on the emergence of [[Shoegazing]], and starting with [[The Nineties]] the two genres began cross-breeding and eventually became indistinguishable. You're not likely to find many '''Dream Pop''' bands that use the "classic sound" of the Cocteaus or This Mortal Coil anymore, although there are a few new bands, such as [[Beach House]], that continue the "traditional" dream pop sound. There aren't many of these, but they're pretty popular amongst indie kids. Instead, there's a ton of bands that are somewhere between dream pop and shoegazing (which in itself could be called '''Dream Pop''' taken [[Up to Eleven]]), most likely thrown under the umbrella term "post-rock" - a good example of this would be [[Sigur Rós]].


[[David Lynch]] likes this genre, as seen through his production work with [[Julee Cruise]] and his use of [[This Mortal Coil]]'s [[Crowning Music of Awesome|awesome cover]] of "Song to the Siren" in ''[[Lost Highway]]''.
[[David Lynch]] likes this genre, as seen through his production work with [[Julee Cruise]] and his use of [[This Mortal Coil]]'s [[Crowning Music of Awesome|awesome cover]] of "Song to the Siren" in ''[[Lost Highway]]''.


The polar opposite of this genre is [[Doom Metal|Drone Metal]], which is [[Nightmare Fuel]] in music form.
The polar opposite of this genre is [[Doom Metal|Drone Metal]], which is [[Nightmare Fuel]] in music form.

-----
Bands associated with dream pop include:
{{examples|Bands associated with dream pop include:}}
* A.R. Kane
* A.R. Kane
* Au Revoir Simone
* Au Revoir Simone
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* Candy Claws (self-described "dream, dream, dream, dream pop")
* Candy Claws (self-described "dream, dream, dream, dream pop")
* The Chameleons
* The Chameleons
* [[Cocteau Twins]] ([[Trope Maker|Trope Makers]] and [[Trope Codifier|Trope Codifiers]])
* [[Cocteau Twins]] ([[Trope Maker]]s and [[Trope Codifier]]s)
* Cranes (notably, unlike their more optimistic or atmospheric comrades, they dived completely into nightmarish [[Post Punk]] with the absolute creepiest [[Creepy Child]] vocals ever.)
* Cranes (notably, unlike their more optimistic or atmospheric comrades, they dived completely into nightmarish [[Post Punk]] with the absolute creepiest [[Creepy Child]] vocals ever.)
** Their recent albums are much more optimistic.
** Their recent albums are much more optimistic.
* [[Julee Cruise]]
* [[Julee Cruise]]
* [[Dead Can Dance]] (crossing over into Goth and world music)
* [[Dead Can Dance]] (crossing over into Goth and world music)
* [[Deftones]] (a cross between [[Alternative Metal]] and [[Dream Pop]], with [[Shoegazing]] and [[New Wave]] influences)
* [[Deftones]] (a cross between [[Alternative Metal]] and '''Dream Pop''', with [[Shoegazing]] and [[New Wave]] influences)
** Chino Moreno's side project Team Sleep, on the other hand, is mostly [[Dream Pop]].
** Chino Moreno's side project Team Sleep, on the other hand, is mostly '''Dream Pop'''.
* The Delays
* The Delays
* Dif Juz (a completely [[Instrumentals|instrumental band]])
* Dif Juz (a completely [[Instrumentals|instrumental band]])
* [[Efterklang]]
* [[Efterklang]]
* [[Galaxie 500]]
* [[Galaxie 500]]
* [[Iamamiwhoami]] ([[Dream Pop]] + [[Shoegazing]] + [[Concept Video]])
* [[Iamamiwhoami]] ('''Dream Pop''' + [[Shoegazing]] + [[Concept Video]])
* [[Lisa Germano]]
* [[Lisa Germano]]
* [[Low]]
* [[Low]]
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* [[Mercury Rev]] (dream pop, but with influences from [[Noise Pop]] and [[Psychedelic Rock]])
* [[Mercury Rev]] (dream pop, but with influences from [[Noise Pop]] and [[Psychedelic Rock]])
* Mojave 3 (formed by ex-[[Slowdive]] members, dream pop crossing over into sadcore and alternative country)
* Mojave 3 (formed by ex-[[Slowdive]] members, dream pop crossing over into sadcore and alternative country)
* [[This Mortal Coil]] (not technically a "band", see above explanation; also [[Trope Codifier|Trope Codifiers]])
* [[This Mortal Coil]] (not technically a "band", see above explanation; also [[Trope Codifier]]s)
* [[Owl City]]
* [[Owl City]]
* The Passions
* The Passions
* [[Radiohead]], while nominally [[Alternative Rock]] have occasionally shown influences from it, such as on "No Surprises", which is both [[Dream Pop]] and [[Art Rock]].
* [[Radiohead]], while nominally [[Alternative Rock]] have occasionally shown influences from it, such as on "No Surprises", which is both '''Dream Pop''' and [[Art Rock]].
* [[Red House Painters]] (a combination of dream pop and "sad-core", with more slow drawn-out compositions that stay mostly relaxed with really depressing lyrics to boot.)
* [[Red House Painters]] (a combination of dream pop and "sad-core", with more slow drawn-out compositions that stay mostly relaxed with really depressing lyrics to boot.)
* School Of Seven Bells
* School Of Seven Bells
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* All [[Shoegazing]] bands can be associated with dream pop due to the latter's influence on the former and some overlap between the two genres. For some it's reasonable ([[Slowdive]], which later evolved into the aforementioned Mojave 3, ''possibly'' [[Starflyer 59]]), for others it's just too much of a stretch ([[My Bloody Valentine (band)|My Bloody Valentine]] are pure shoegazing, [[Lush]] had their moments but too few to actually call them dream pop, [[Ride]] moved into different territory later on).
* All [[Shoegazing]] bands can be associated with dream pop due to the latter's influence on the former and some overlap between the two genres. For some it's reasonable ([[Slowdive]], which later evolved into the aforementioned Mojave 3, ''possibly'' [[Starflyer 59]]), for others it's just too much of a stretch ([[My Bloody Valentine (band)|My Bloody Valentine]] are pure shoegazing, [[Lush]] had their moments but too few to actually call them dream pop, [[Ride]] moved into different territory later on).
** On that note, Asobi Seksu switched to dream pop on their third album after two albums of imitating [[My Bloody Valentine (band)|My Bloody Valentine]]. Apparently they were just tired of imitating MBV and wanted to try something else.
** On that note, Asobi Seksu switched to dream pop on their third album after two albums of imitating [[My Bloody Valentine (band)|My Bloody Valentine]]. Apparently they were just tired of imitating MBV and wanted to try something else.
* [[Sigur Ros]] (dream pop + [[Post Rock]])
* [[Sigur Rós]] (dream pop + [[Post Rock]])
* The Sundays (debatable, some people claim they are just a more laid-back version of [[The Smiths]])
* The Sundays (debatable, some people claim they are just a more laid-back version of [[The Smiths]])
* The xx are fairly modern, but unmistakably dreamy, breathy, and beautiful.
* The xx are fairly modern, but unmistakably dreamy, breathy, and beautiful.
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[[Category:Music Tropes]]
[[Category:Music Tropes]]
[[Category:Dream Pop]]
[[Category:Dream Pop]]
[[Category:Music Genres]]
[[Category:Pop]]

Latest revision as of 12:27, 6 August 2019


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    Dream Pop. It sounds really lovely and you can fall asleep to it.

    Dream pop is a specific subgenre of Alternative Rock that emerged in the middle of The Eighties, and is commonly associated with the label 4AD Records. As befitting its name, dream pop lies in the middle between Ambient music and pop: it borrows the emphasis on ethereal soundscapes typical of the former and applies it to the catchy melodies of the latter. Theoretically this gives it the best of both worlds, since it avoids both ambient's excessive monotony or inscrutability and pop's shallower tendencies. In troper terms, it's basically the musical equivalent of Scenery Porn.

    While the genre itself appeared in The Eighties, the Velvet Underground song "Sunday Morning" has been cited as basically the Ur Example of the genre, once again supporting the old joke that people who buy Velvet Underground albums will start their own bands.

    Dream pop's indie status means that its bands don't have access to incredibly advanced equipment or funds in their quest for sonic beauty. Typical characteristics of the genre include heavily processed guitars and synthesizers, breathy, high-pitched generally female vocals - the occasional male vocals show up but they tend to be just as breathy - and heavy use of reverb and echo to give the songs a sort of celestial atmosphere. Basically, you can think of dream pop as the musical equivalent of Scenery Porn with a tendency to Perishing Alt Rock Voice. Thanks to its association with 4AD, the genre even had its own distinctive visual identity thanks to Vaughan Oliver and v23's work for that label: Minimalistic Cover Art designs employing very blurry imagery and occasional use of Deliberately Monochrome.

    Generally, if someone says "dream pop", they're most likely thinking of bands in The Eighties on the 4AD label, such as Dead Can Dance, Cocteau Twins, Dif Juz and the genre's own Supergroup, This Mortal Coil. These bands represent dream pop's "classic sound" - all instruments and voices soaked in reverb, breathy vocals, introspective themes and creating a wall of sound out of generally sparse instrumentation,[1] adding up to something that, all snarkery aside, is really quite beautiful. Most dream pop bands varied in terms of emotion between somber and depressing, terrifying and optimistic. Still, not every band on 4AD was dream pop (The Pixies, The Breeders, Colourbox and Throwing Muses were on the label) and not every dream pop band was on 4AD (Cranes, The Passions, Bel Canto, Galaxie 500 and The Dream Academy among many others were on other labels). While dream pop was intially a pretty unified genre, variations on the basic "ethereal soundscapes + pop melodies" formula soon appeared, in particular bands that focused more on guitars than synths. Pretty soon, the genre started splintering into a ton of other subgenres as well: Low went into Slowcore, Mazzy Star smashed together Dream Pop, Shoegazing and Psychedelic Rock, Love Spirals Downwards went into electronica, and so on.

    Dream pop was an important influence on the emergence of Shoegazing, and starting with The Nineties the two genres began cross-breeding and eventually became indistinguishable. You're not likely to find many Dream Pop bands that use the "classic sound" of the Cocteaus or This Mortal Coil anymore, although there are a few new bands, such as Beach House, that continue the "traditional" dream pop sound. There aren't many of these, but they're pretty popular amongst indie kids. Instead, there's a ton of bands that are somewhere between dream pop and shoegazing (which in itself could be called Dream Pop taken Up to Eleven), most likely thrown under the umbrella term "post-rock" - a good example of this would be Sigur Rós.

    David Lynch likes this genre, as seen through his production work with Julee Cruise and his use of This Mortal Coil's awesome cover of "Song to the Siren" in Lost Highway.

    The polar opposite of this genre is Drone Metal, which is Nightmare Fuel in music form.

    Bands associated with dream pop include:
    1. ↑ even the more arrangement-heavy dream pop bands like the Cocteaus stuck to the standard guitar-bass-drums-keyboards lineup; only This Mortal Coil really used string sections, and even they stuck to minimal arrangements instead of overproduction
    Retrieved from "https://allthetropes.org/wiki/Dream_Pop?oldid=1712515"