NEWSJuly 11, 2025

Early 2000s shoegaze band Highspire return with first album in 15 years titled "Crushed"

Jason Gordon

jason@releasewave.com

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image of Early 2000s shoegaze band Highspire return with first album in 15 years titled "Crushed"

Highspire, a renowned shoegaze/dream pop band from the early 2000s, is making a comeback with their new LP and first in over 15 years titled "Crushed" set for release on July 11, 2025 via Shelflife Records. The band's sound draws inspiration from classic heavy shoegaze and dream pop styles, staying true to the classic heavy shoegaze and dream pop sounds of the 90s guitar rock that labels like Creation Records were releasing. Containing big melodies, lush soundscapes, buzzing walls of guitars, and monster hooks, "Crushed" will no doubt appeal to fans of OG shoegaze classics like My Bloody Valentine, Swervedriver, and Ride, while also staying fresh with a contemporary touch, similar to bands like Glare, Nothing, Whirr, Greet Death, and The Pains of Being Pure At Heart.

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Featured Artist

Highspire

Dream Pop Shoegaze

Highspire was a shoegaze staple of the early 2000’s international shoegaze scene via early internet music sites, filesharing, and releases on compilations like Losing Today Magazine, Tonevendor, Vinyl Junkie, Alison Records, even Club AC30’s first release. In 2004, legendary shoegaze label of the time Clairecords released their debut album "Your Everything" to much acclaim. With most shoegaze-centric outlets of the time naming it the best shoegaze album of the year, and even making KEXP’s John in the Mornings top 10 albums of 2004. Alex White & EJ Hagen joined Australian Neo-Psych band the Morning After Girls for half a decade in 2008. In between tours, they recorded their 2nd album "Aquatic" in 2010. "Aquatic" also garnered many top shoegaze album of 2010 accolades of the time. The latest incarnation of the band features Laura Watling (The Autocollants, Tears Run Rings), John Loring (Fleeting Joys), drummer Kory Gable, and original drummer Guyton Sanders. Their long-awaited third album, "Crushed," sees the band take it up a notch. With everyone involved saying it’s their best album yet. John Loring also mixed, mastered, and co-produced the album. "Crushed" will be released on Shelflife Records July 11, 2025 on 2 vinyl variants (Oilslick Nautilus & Orange Crushed) as well as CD. RIYL: My Bloody Valentine, Swervedriver, Ride, Glare, Nothing, Greet Death, The Pains of Being Pure At Heart.

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ReleasesFeatured in this article

Dream Pop

Highspire

Crushed

July 11, 2025

Highspire, a renowned shoegaze/dream pop band from the early 2000s, is making a comeback with their new LP and first in over 15 years titled "Crushed" set for release on July 11, 2025 via Shelflife Records.. The band's sound draws inspiration from classic heavy shoegaze and dream pop styles, staying true to the classic heavy shoegaze and dream pop sounds of the 90s guitar rock that labels like Creation Records were releasing. Containing big melodies, lush soundscapes, buzzing walls of guitars, and monster hooks, "Crushed" will no doubt appeal to fans of OG shoegaze classics like My Bloody Valentine, Swervedriver, and Ride, while also staying fresh with a contemporary touch, similar to bands like Nothing, Whirr, and Glare.