Sadcore

Slowcore, sadcore and shoegaze are often used interchangeably to describe a sub genre of rock and roll that emerged in the late 1980s as a slower, generally more vocally melodic niche of indie-rock. Early bands like the Red House Painters and Slowdive drew on nihilistic musings found in the lyrics of The Cure, The Smiths, and Cocteau Twins often combined with the hazy overdriven wall of guitar of No Wave bands like Sonic Youth and English powerpop bands like Ride and Lush. Lyrics tend towards themes of loneliness, isolation, and unrequited love reminiscent of Nick Drake or Morrissey.

Duluth, Minnesota trio Low touch the beautiful, minimalist nadir of the current spectrum and Quebec, Canada freaks Godspeed_You_Black_Emperor hit the zenith with dirges that end in dizzyingly orchestrated chaos.