by Louis Pelingen (@Ruke256)
Mo Dotti arrived at the right space and at the right time when shoegaze revivalism sparked up in the 2020s. The Los Angeles based quartet, comprised of frontwoman Gina Negrini, bassist Brian Rodriguez, guitarist Guy Valdez, and drummer Shelly Schimek, have been pulling together EPs since 2020. Their brand of dream pop and shoegaze influenced by the earliest instances of those genres in the 80s: full of garish pedal effects, gracefully potent guitar swivels, and sweetened vocals that may get pushed back in the mix but only adds to the cacophonous beauty of the genre. This year, they released their debut album, Opaque, expanding upon what they’ve touched upon prior, doubling on the brand of shoegaze tapestries that they’ve earnestly adored.
The array of shoegaze and dream pop pastures that Mo Dotti unravels on Opaque carries forth the influences from acts such as My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins, and Slowdive, whose characteristics offer comfort within the raw noise. This balancing act between soothing bliss and rougher noise is an element that the band manages to replicate quite well on every song. The pedal effects and reverb embellishments create a heavy tapestry for the robust melodies, with Gina Negrini’s vocal touches offer a lilting balm, acting as a contrast to that bulkier textures. The echoing calm within her vocals on “Lucky Boy” acts as the pleasant voice that wafts through the warping distortion, soon followed up by “Really Wish,” where the driving melodic pulse is paired with the softer atmosphere, a distinct contrast from the former song.
The other songs continue to drive together this soundscape altogether. The wailing effects of “For Anyone and You” stick the landing as the rumbling grooves and saturated guitar lines get heavier as the song proceeds, eventually leading into the bright grains of noise that rain down on “Wasted Delay,” accentuating a melancholic tone within its smoldering melodies. “Dead to Me“ allows the album to end in vibrance, where the jangling melodies carry a lively spark that breathes through the conclusion.
Narratively, it manages to carry the same dynamic as the music itself. Carrying forth a sense of despair within the presence of love, Mo Dotti utilizes natural imagery to intensify the melancholic edges within a shattered romance. Consumed by its sadness, it only floods how much the protagonist imparts a dour mood, whether that be memories that they hold dear or communication where words and questions are pointed to that ex-lover that brought pain and loneliness. On a closer look at the writing, it’s all the more heartbreaking, yet still clear that the protagonist continues to yearn for love despite whatever melancholy was brought on to them. They cannot feel like they should when the pain still lingers—never letting them go from the experience.
Opaque carries the resplendent sheen of shoegaze and dream pop that has been the benchmark since the genre’s heyday. Full of varied pillows of brashness and sweetness, Mo Dotti has certainly gotten things right for what they’re aiming for. Within the opaque haze, the details won't be seen, but even then, the emotions can still be felt.