Dream pop is a genre that beautifully blends ethereal vocals with lush instrumentals, creating a soundscape that feels both intimate and expansive. If you love the dreamy vibes of Sun Airway, you’ll definitely want to explore these 19 bands and artists that offer a similar auditory experience.
1. Beach House
Beach House is a staple in the dream pop genre, known for their mesmerizing melodies and haunting vocals. Their albums Teen Dream and Bloom are must-listens, featuring popular tracks like “Zebra” and “Myth.”
2. M83
M83 blends dream pop with electronic music, creating an atmospheric sound that’s both nostalgic and futuristic. Their album Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming includes hits like “Midnight City” and “Wait.”
3. Wild Nothing
Wild Nothing crafts beautiful dream pop tunes with a touch of indie rock. Their debut album Gemini and follow-up Nocturne feature standout tracks like “Chinatown” and “Paradise.”
4. Washed Out
Washed Out, the project of Ernest Greene, is synonymous with chillwave and dream pop. Tracks like “Feel It All Around” and “Eyes Be Closed” from the album Within and Without are perfect examples of his style.
5. Slowdive
Slowdive is a pioneering band in the shoegaze and dream pop genres. Their self-titled album Slowdive and earlier works like Souvlaki feature ethereal tracks such as “Sugar for the Pill” and “Alison.”
6. DIIV
DIIV combines dream pop with post-punk influences, creating a sound that’s both dreamy and energetic. Albums like Oshin and Is the Is Are include tracks like “Doused” and “Under the Sun.”
7. Alvvays
Alvvays offers a dreamy, jangly pop sound with catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Their self-titled debut and follow-up Antisocialites include popular songs like “Archie, Marry Me” and “Dreams Tonite.”
8. Lush
Lush is a classic dream pop band known for their shimmering guitar work and lush (pun intended) vocals. Albums like Spooky and Lovelife feature tracks like “Ladykillers” and “For Love.”
9. Real Estate
Real Estate mixes dream pop with indie rock, creating soothing, melodic songs perfect for any mood. Albums like Days and Atlas include tracks such as “It’s Real” and “Talking Backwards.”
10. The Radio Dept.
The Radio Dept. combines dream pop with a lo-fi aesthetic, resulting in a unique and captivating sound. Albums like Lesser Matters and Clinging to a Scheme feature tracks like “Heaven’s on Fire” and “1995.”
11. Cigarettes After Sex
Cigarettes After Sex offers a dreamy, ambient pop sound with soft, whispery vocals. Their self-titled debut album includes popular tracks like “Apocalypse” and “K.”
12. Japanese Breakfast
Japanese Breakfast, the solo project of Michelle Zauner, blends dream pop with indie rock and electronic elements. Albums like Psychopomp and Soft Sounds from Another Planet include tracks like “Everybody Wants to Love You” and “Road Head.”
13. Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins are legends in the dream pop and ethereal wave genres, known for their otherworldly sound. Albums like Heaven or Las Vegas and Treasure feature iconic tracks such as “Cherry-Coloured Funk” and “Lorelei.”
14. The War on Drugs
The War on Drugs combines dream pop with heartland rock, creating expansive, atmospheric music. Albums like Lost in the Dream and A Deeper Understanding include tracks like “Red Eyes” and “Pain.”
15. Tame Impala
Tame Impala, the project of Kevin Parker, blends dream pop with psychedelic rock. Albums like Currents and Lonerism feature popular tracks like “Let It Happen” and “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards.”
16. Mazzy Star
Mazzy Star is known for their melancholic, dreamy sound, led by the haunting vocals of Hope Sandoval. Albums like So Tonight That I Might See and Among My Swan include tracks like “Fade into You” and “Flowers in December.”
17. Youth Lagoon
Youth Lagoon, the project of Trevor Powers, creates intimate, dreamy pop music with a touch of experimentalism. Albums like The Year of Hibernation and Wondrous Bughouse feature tracks like “17” and “Dropla.”
18. Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear blends dream pop with indie rock and folk, creating intricate, harmonious music. Albums like Veckatimest and Shields include tracks such as “Two Weeks” and “Sleeping Ute.”
19. Lower Dens
Lower Dens offers a dreamy, atmospheric sound with a touch of post-punk. Albums like Nootropics and Escape from Evil include tracks like “Brains” and “To Die in L.A.”
Explore these artists and bands to dive deeper into the dreamy, immersive world of dream pop music.
