motel void

This time, we’re selecting three tracks – two from the USA and one from the UK – that move somewhere between slowcore and shoegaze.

PUPPY TEETH – MELATONIN

Puppy Teeth are a five-piece bubblegrunge band from Edinburgh. Their sound blends crunchy guitars and heavy drums with sweet, dreamy, pop-infused vocals. Melatonin comes from their debut EP, Teething.

The band cite influences such as Jeff Buckley, Mazzy Star, Men I Trust, and even Deftones. The result is a wonderfully cohesive blend of ideas with a strong ’90s feel, sitting somewhere between Buckley and Hope Sandoval in terms of atmosphere. The vocals play a crucial role here – the singer’s distinctive tone and delivery elevate the entire track and give it a unique emotional weight. Highly recommended!

AUBREY JANE – LATE WINTER, EARLY SPRING

I’ve always had a soft spot for music that draws from country and Americana traditions, so Late Winter, Early Spring immediately caught my attention, especially thanks to its beautiful lap steel (?) guitar. The song appears on the album Starshiner and carries an incredibly warm, inviting atmosphere. In some ways, it even reminds me of the debut album by Phoebe Bridgers.

Just before the halfway mark, the song shifts vocally and takes on a more emotional intensity. It then evolves once again, building toward a gorgeous climax while never losing its raw, organic energy. The cover art feels like a perfect visual representation of the track itself – it somehow captures the song’s entire mood and character.

EVAN FOX – MACHINE

Evan Fox is a 24-year-old indie folk songwriter from Wilmington, Delaware. His new single Machine is essentially divided into two distinct halves.

The first is an acoustic lo-fi folk section recorded to tape, featuring a beautifully warm production style. I especially loved the distorted acoustic guitar riff – both the tone and the performance are fantastic. Fox’s vocal delivery, which sounds as though it could have come from an emo or pop-punk band, fits the song perfectly.

Just when it seems like the track is winding down, everything changes. Around the midpoint, the tempo shifts and the drums and bass enter, transforming the song into something heavily inspired by Duster-style slowcore. A new vocal melody emerges as well, making the second half feel almost like a different song.

Both sections are excellent, and it’s hard to say which one I prefer. If I absolutely had to choose, I’d probably give the edge to the slowcore half. Then again, I’m glad the song embraces both sides of its personality – the contrast is exactly what makes it so memorable.