OutControlJoys – s/t
Release Date: June 4, 2025
Origin: Nepal
Genre: Shoegaze, dream pop, indie rock
On their second album, OutControlJoys affirm their place as one of the most compelling acts in the contemporary shoegaze and dream pop scene. Emerging from Nepal’s vibrant underground, the band refines and expands the emotional and sonic textures that defined their early work—delivering a sophomore effort that feels more assured, more immersive, and even more affecting.
Sound & Aesthetic
s/t unfolds like a slow-motion storm—walls of reverb-heavy guitars, cascading feedback, and soft, buried vocals coalesce into soundscapes that are both immense and deeply personal. While honoring the traditions of classic shoegaze, OutControlJoys also pull in elements of indie rock and dream pop, crafting a sound that is airy and weighty all at once.
There’s a sense of intentional restraint across the record: distortion never drowns out detail, and the haze leaves room for delicate moments of clarity. Their sonic palette, though vast, always feels intimate.
Mood & Themes
This is music for those moments when emotions are too heavy to name. Themes of disconnection, longing, and inner weather patterns emerge subtly through the swirling instrumentals and muted lyrics. The album resonates like a memory half-remembered—haunting, beautiful, and hard to shake.
Built around emotional nuance rather than narrative, s/t feels like a meditation on what cannot be said—only felt. It’s a record of shadows and soft light, of drifting through time and place.
Conclusion
With this second release, OutControlJoys transcend the expectations of a follow-up album. s/t is not just a continuation—it’s a bold evolution. A deeply atmospheric, sonically rich work that anchors the band’s unique perspective in the wider shoegaze canon. The result is a stunning, slow-burning triumph.
© Thusblog
