Toronto’s Bliss Abyss makes a striking statement of intent with their debut, "Star". It is already evident that this is a band that isn’t afraid to occupy the spaces between genres. Here, the track is led by singer-guitarist Peter Wallner’s melodic instincts, intertwining dark, angular post-punk textures with shoegaze’s ethereal haze in a way that sounds both familiar and strikingly fresh.
"Star" is the kind of song that feels immediate yet also durable, a track you might get easily lost in on first listen, and peel back in new layers multiple times afterward. Jangly brightness plays off brooding undertones, and a push-and-pull tension keeps listeners on their toes from start to finish.
The truly staggering aspect of Bliss Abyss is its sense of atmosphere, which never feels heavy-handed. The song alternates between guitar lines and a propulsive rhythm, and Wallner’s voice cuts through clearly, a guiding star in the swirl. It’s a bit of memories for specific moments and peak years in the history of shoegaze, post-punk, and so on, but it also clearly states that this is a band moving forward on its own terms.
Bliss suggests they can travel between history and propulsion, creating music that feels both rooted and in motion. For those who like their music to be textured, emotional, and utterly catchy, this single is an excellent introduction to what could potentially be an essential musical voyage.
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