Dreampop is a subgroup of music that was born in the 80s and hit its peak in the 90s. The reason for its name is the sound of the subgenre: which has an atmospheric, sonic texture, as I can only describe as floating alongside a bed of stars. The genre is often overlooked, because of the grunge phenomena that was happening at the same time. Most look at the nineties as a time of Nirvana and Pearl Jam, and dreampop often overlooked, but it actually has had quite an impact on the music world.  

Most claim Cocteau Twins as the Dreampop band that pioneered the alt rock sound. Others credit A.R. Kane, who started making music in 1986. Alex Ayuli, a member of A.R. Kane, is given credit for coining the phrase “dreampop” in an interview on Melody Maker. 

As you can with other areas of music, most cannot necessarily place dreampop as mark of a political movement, hairstyle, clothing, etc. However, dreampop has not gone without a trace on pop culture, especially in Britian. Many of the artists of this movement were born there, and as time has gone by dreampop expanded internationally. In a post-punk world, many wanted to find a new, but still alternative sound.  

Another genre which is often grouped with dream pop is shoegaze, which I think most music listeners could argue is the same concept. Personally, I think you can use each term interchangeably, but I myself am not an expert on musical composition. In an interview with Pitchfork, Dean Wareham attempts to shed light on the differences.  

 “Shoegaze bands are more of an assault, a wall of sound, while there is more empty space in dream pop—allowing more room for melody and counter-melody, whether on vocals, keyboards, or guitars,” he said.   

The term itself refers to the performers of the genre. In most of their shows, they are very non-confrontational, hence them looking down at their shoes. What once was a bit of an insult became a term that music listeners have grown fond of.