A few key things about this submission that not only attracted me but also impressed me were the album cover and the number of tracks. Call it being conceited or delusional – I just really love the number nine. Still, in this case, I loved the fact that each of the songs was recorded by artists from different locations. From Honolulu to Tokyo, the creativity in this initial impression definitely captured my interest.
Paradigms II, the second compilation from Brooklyn-based label PFR Records, is a loud and immersive tribute to the evolution of shoegaze and its offspring—grunge, post-punk, and psych rock. Released on June 20th, the self-proclaimed ‘carefully captured vinyl’ sticks true. The project feels like a snapshot of the global underground, combined with explosive guitars, haunting vocals, and waves of distortion. Fans of Cocteau Twins and Slowdive will feel especially at home, but there’s something fresh here too. Despite the sheer number of contributors, the cohesion is evident. Each track feels alive, warping and electric, demanding full attention.
The opening track, Yuetù’s “lit et toi,” is an instant highlight: immersive and fluid, like headlights flickering past on a midnight drive. It’s dreamy, disorienting, and completely enveloping —exactly the kind of sound you want to fall into. From there, Dyr Faser’s “into the dive” keeps you suspended with haunting vocals and an unexpected shift in instrumentation that stands out. Every song builds on the one before it without ever losing steam.
Snakey Dublay’s “Friendly Ghosts” is one of my favourites, built on tight snare and drum patterns that build tension. It’s incredibly well composed and arranged. ReRun Lance’s “Table” on the other hand lands right in the middle of the tracklist and couldn’t be placed better—catchy, head-bopping, and addictive. It’s the kind of song that feels both like a break and a reset. You catch your breath while still vibing hard.
Track 8, “Fumin” by NoFun, absolutely booms—it’s one of the more traditionally rock-leaning tracks, and it hits hard. There’s a thunderous quality to the beat that makes it feel like a live performance, and the breakdown at the end is incredibly satisfying. The vocals are intense but never overbearing, and the track overall feels like a perfect candidate for a gritty indie film soundtrack. Then comes the closer: Kungens Män’s “Ringhals 7,” a seven-minute epic that gives the project a curtain-call moment. It’s sprawling and slow-building, and as a Tyler, the Creator fan, I sincerely appreciate a long outro that lets you ride out the end of the project.
Paradigms II is more than a compilation—it’s a well-thought-out map of how shoegaze continues to morph across continents and subgenres. It’s not just heavy for the sake of being heavy; it’s heavy with precious intent. From Tokyo to Stockholm, New York to Honolulu, these artists bring a shared intensity that makes each track shimmer and shake in its own way. The care behind this release is evident from the sequencing to the analog risograph artwork by Julia Schimautz to the warm mastering by Nick Townsend.
Written by Nthatile Mavuso
