‘Through The Motions’ by Vegtable might just be the best shoegaze album of the year

Photo credit: Vegtable

No "E" between the G and T. Vegtable are a band from Singapore, and their latest release, Through The Motions, might just be the best shoegaze album of the year.

Pursue Happiness is one of my favourite tracks on the album. A busy bass riff kickstarts the song, which unravels into a wave of sparkling guitars and cymbals, gentle muted drums, and melancholic, tired vocals. The sparse, no-fat approach to instrumentation and production feels intentional but never empty.

If you’re a fan of City Girl by Kevin Shields, then you will be right at home here. You can hear the influence of slowcore greats like Acetone and Duster, but also flashes of The Beatles during their more introspective moments — think Dear Prudence or I’m So Tired. There’s a quality to Vegtable’s music that feels classic and nostalgic, like unexpectedly striking gold. It’s exciting.

Maybe the best shoegaze doesn’t even need fuzz or reverb after all — throw out your Big Muffs and your SPX 90.

Listen to Pursue Happiness below.