Drop Nineteens '1991'

Before their breakout record hit shelves, Drop Nineteens had already turned heads with the demos found on '1991'. These early recordings, finally given an official release by Wharf Cat, capture the band in their rawest, most formative state—still unsigned, still unknown, but bursting with sonic ideas. The cassette demos were mailed out in 1991 and made their way across the Atlantic, catching the attention of the UK press and sparking a label frenzy. Though the band went on to create new material for their official debut 'Delaware', these early songs remained unreleased until now, standing as a time capsule of pure shoegaze promise.

'1991' brims with all the key ingredients that would define Drop Nineteens’ sound: cascading walls of guitars, submerged harmonies, and a dream-pop sensibility cloaked in distortion. Echoes of Ride and Slowdive abound, but there's also a uniquely American looseness that sets them apart. These recordings balance fuzzy charm and atmospheric sprawl with undeniable pop hooks, offering a glimpse into the band’s potential just before it exploded. For longtime fans and shoegaze completists alike, '1991' isn't just a piece of history—it’s a foundational listen that resonates decades later.