Nathaniel Clark

Staff Writer

On November 4, 1991, Loveless, the sophomore album of Irish band My Bloody Valentine, was released into the world, forever changing the musical landscape. Running at a length of 48 minutes, 36 seconds and with 11 tracks, Loveless can be placed in the genre of shoegaze. For the layman, shoegaze is a subgenre of alternative rock signified by its delicate mixture of obscured vocals, guitar distortion and effects, and overwhelming volume. A defining album for the genre, Loveless can be described as noisy, ethereal, atmospheric, romantic, dense, hypnotic, and psychedelic. Loveless, and My Bloody Valentine as a whole, would go on to inspire countless acts both inside and outside the shoegaze field like Slowdive, Deftones, and Radiohead. 

With that being said, what better way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of My Bloody Valentine’s seminal release and hallmark of alternative rock Loveless than with a review. 

Although Loveless is certainly notable for its influence, the music itself still holds up regardless of its impact. A staple of the shoegaze canon, Loveless painted a vivid picture of the future of music at the time of its release. The songs are dense with layers of constant noise, creating an atmosphere that envelops the listener. Loveless makes the listener feel like they’re inside of a lava lamp; surrounded by bright, colorful substances floating around in effortless motion. As the album progresses, these substances combine and separate to create new forms and shapes, but never something that can be fully defined. The sound of the project is best described as being hypnotic, phasing in and out of coherence. It’s an art piece that uses shapeless forms and sound waves to form melodic pillows in the shape of pop songs. The vocals have a dream-like quality, serving as a guide that helps the listener along with the unconventional sounds presented throughout the album. 

“Only Shallow” acts as a perfect introduction to the stylings of the record as flanged guitars encompass the vocals. “When You Sleep” is a ballad in which the singer professes their love for their significant other as the overall instrumentation creates a sense of freedom. Relating to the aforementioned hypnotic feeling, “Soon”, the closing track, feels like the listener returning to reality after an otherworldly experience. The seven minutes of rumbling guitars along with the cheery and atmospheric synths act as an excellent removal from the world of Loveless. 

While My Bloody Valentine’s music may seem slightly inaccessible at first, the rewarding qualities of Loveless can be received by almost anyone in the right headspace. Enter with an open mind and you will undergo a sonic journey unlike anything you have previously experienced. 

Earlier in 2021, My Bloody Valentine announced their signing to independent record label Domino. Along with this announcement came the band’s whole discography being released onto streaming services along with various vinyl reissues. With new music on the horizon, there has

never been a better time to listen to Loveless and the My Bloody Valentine landscape than right now.