Distressor Breaks Through the Haze with Cathartic New Single “Broken Glass”
Following a groundswell of attention sparked by their Wisp collab and a hauntingly beautiful music video for “Yearn,” San Diego/LA shoegaze outfit Distressor has returned with “Broken Glass,” the lead single from their forthcoming sophomore LP, and it's their boldest statement yet.
Built on a thunderous rhythm section and soaked in shoegaze haze, “Broken Glass” pairs vulnerability with force. Ethereal guitar textures blur into crushing low end while the vocals deliver high, clear melodies that feel like they’re screaming through a storm. It’s a track that doesn’t just lean into nostalgia; it breaks it open. There's early 2000s emo anguish, arena-sized dynamics, and a melodic sensibility that refuses to be buried in reverb.
This new release arrives after a breakout moment for the band: their 2024 collaboration with shoegaze heavyweight Wisp on Interscope Records. That track gained Distressor a decent following in LA’s underground and introduced a wider audience to their particular brand of emotionally-charged shoegaze. Their music video for “Yearn,” released earlier this year, was praised by Melancholic Music for its “delicate vocals,” “sweet sound,” and a “new phase” of sonic evolution.
WATCH THE “YEARN” MUSIC VIDEO BY CLICKING BELOW
“Broken Glass” feels like the next natural step in that evolution. It’s cinematic, guttural, and honest, offering both a glimmer of heartbreak and a sense of catharsis. The band has been holed up in the studio, sculpting a record that aims to capture the urgency and emotional grit that defines their live shows. If this first single is any indication, they’re about to raise the bar for modern shoegaze.
