While the British press was working to undermine shoegaze in Britain during the mid to late '90s, musicians in the United States were embracing its distinctive sound. Bands like The Emerald Down from the Pacific Northwest, Airiel in Chicago, Asobi Seksu in New York, and Highspire in Philadelphia, among others across the country, were leading this resurgence, few of these acts released music before the year 2000. Occasionally, a hidden gem emerges, such as Ozean, an early '90s California band that stands out as one of the earliest North American shoegaze groups. The only surviving recordings are three tracks from a demo cassette they released in 1993, with the recordings themselves having been made in 1992. The band featured Lisa Baer (vocals), Mike Prosenko (guitar), Eric Shea (guitar), and Mark Baldwin (drums, bass).

Ozean opens with the track "Fall", which channels a sound reminiscent of Slowdive or Ride. It's evident that the band was influenced by Lush’s Scar, Slowdive’s Just for a Day, and Ride’s Nowhere, along with proto-shoegaze bands like Jesus and Mary Chain. The second track, "Porcelain" features guitars drenched in fuzz and layers of reverb. The composition takes on a dreamy, almost ambient quality due to its formless guitar. The EP closes with "SCENIC", showcasing bright, blissed-out guitars that float over a driving melody. The reverb-laden vocals drift above a beautiful bass line, while subtle percussion adds structure to the expansive sound.

2024 reissue printed on white vinyl and released via The Numero Group. 

Tracklist:

Side A

Side B

1. Porcelain