It’s only the start of 2025 and already I think I’ve found a nominee for EP of the year. Bold claim I know but if you love your shoegaze like I do you’re going to want to keep reading. Soft Leg are a new shoegaze band based out of Stockholm, Sweden.
They formed during the pandemic and feature Anton Brolin (Vocals and guitar), Hannes Ek (Guitar), Kristoffer Byström (Bass) and Max Anderhell (Drums). The members have previously played in bands such as screamo favourites Trachimbrod and Magic Potion. That’s about the limit of info we have on this mysterious outfit other than they cite influences ranging from My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive to Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr.
I asked Hannes from the band what attracted them to record a shoegaze ep in the first place and what we can expect to hear on the EP.
“All of us have been fans of shoegaze music since our teenage years. Bands like my bloody valentine, Slowdive and Ride were all part of our musical schooling. Over the years we have been playing different styles of music but never found an outlet for our shoegazing dreams. This was the purpose behind starting the band Soft Leg and recording our first EP Nor. Just like a shoegaze recording should be, it has been a long and creative journey.”
“Listeners should expect to recognize many of the shoegaze heroes from the 90s when they listen to the EP. The guitar wall is definitely there and also the lush vocals. Nevertheless, we hope to bring something new to the table since we have been influenced by all sorts of music ranging from punk to jazz.”
Ok, it’s time to drop the needle and hear for ourselves.
The EP opens with ‘Small Talk’ and it sets the tone perfectly with its classic gaze riff and dreamy breathy vocals. This is a band who’ve done their homework on the genre. The fuzzed-out guitar plays nicely against that hollowed out bass sound and more indie sounding drums. That walking bass motif over the chorus section is sublime and leads us nicely back into that hooky riff. Straight off you can tell you’re in safe hands. This band know exactly what they’re doing.
With ‘Like You Blend’, the EP shifts into darker, more textured territory. This track is a slow burn, anchored by a bassline that snakes through the mix with understated menace. The guitars spiral and shimmer, conjuring a hazy atmosphere that’s equal parts shoegaze swirl and post-punk bite. The refrain—both melodic and slightly dissonant—hits like a wave of quiet catharsis, a perfect encapsulation of Soft Leg’s ability to layer beauty with a sense of unease. It’s easy to see why they picked this as their lead single.
The third track, ‘Ty’, is all about forward momentum. It’s pacey and nimble and is full of cool little dynamic false stops and ratatat drum intros. This is about as close to an out and out rock song you’ll get from Soft Leg. There’s shades of Gish era Pumpkins in the guitar riffs and that only endears this band to me even more (if that’s even possible at this stage). This is a driving song and is going to kick massively in a live setting! Watch the mosh pit ignite.
Closing things out, the title track, ‘Nor’, is a swirling, slow-building epic and my stand out track. The band leans heavily into their shoegaze tendencies here, letting the guitars take on a thicker, more enveloping presence. Make no mistake this is some of the most beautiful music I’ve heard in a while. It’s the kind of track that feels tailor-made for late-night listens, its hypnotic repetition pulling you deeper into its spell. The vocals drift like smoke through the instrumental haze, quietly asserting themselves but never overshadowing the weight of the music itself. It’s a perfect closer, leaving the EP suspended in midair rather than tied up in a neat bow.
With the Nor EP, Soft Leg crafts a world that’s soft yet sharp, delicate yet unrelentingly honest. There’s a beauty in the imperfections of these tracks, the moments where things feel unscripted and alive. The EP doesn’t shout for your attention—it simply draws you in with an understated confidence and refuses to let go. Every few years a band recaptures that beauty of the early 90’s sound of bands like My Bloody Valentine as well as ethereal haze of the 4AD roster of the day. It’s rare that anyone adds anything new to the party but Soft Leg most definitely do. This old gazer was left smiling ear to ear after listening to this EP and I know you will too.
The Nor EP is out on February 14th, 2025 and will be available on all digital platforms, as well as an incredibly limited-edition vinyl release on Through Love Records. Do not sleep on this one it will sell out in no time.
You can follow Soft Leg on social media here…
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If the rest of the EP is as good as ‘Like You Blend’ then I’m with you on this being an early pick for EP of the year. The opening chords reminded me of Cult of Luna, they have that same kind of intensity and crushing attack. What a phenomenal tune! Thank you!!
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