“Phosphenes” is the upcoming release by Forethought, the alter ego of London artist Tom Hinchliffe. Having released several singles under this alias since 2023, the musician is now paving the way toward his debut album. His influences range from My Bloody Valentine and Radiohead to Title Fight, each contributing a different element to a sound that comfortably sits somewhere between shoegaze, indie rock, alternative rock, and chillwave.
With that being said, “Phosphenes” is a highly immersive shoegaze track, built on thick layers of heavily distorted, reverb-soaked rhythm guitars that contrast beautifully with clean, ambient lead melodies before they, too, erupt into distortion during the choruses. The vocals are performed in an almost hypnotic manner. Formed by multiple stacked layers, they never compete with the instrumentation for attention; instead, they drift through the mix, becoming another texture within the wall of sound. The drums are equally impressive, providing a huge, driving foundation that grows even more expansive once the chorus arrives, giving the song a satisfying sense of lift without breaking its dreamlike atmosphere.
What stood out to me the most was the way the song balances density with clarity. Despite the amount of distortion and layered instrumentation, every element feels carefully placed, allowing the melodies to breathe beneath the haze. Rather than relying on constant changes or dramatic twists, “Phosphenes” gradually pulls you deeper into its atmosphere, rewarding patient listening with subtle details that reveal themselves over time.
It is the perfect song to put on your headphones, close your eyes, and simply let yourself drift. Forethought understands that shoegaze is as much about creating a feeling as it is about writing songs, and “Phosphenes” succeeds in building an immersive sonic world that lingers long after its final note fades away. The song will be out on July 17.
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Written by Joshua Cotrim
