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Release Date: January 15th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD
What Did We Expect? - Tracklisting
Intro
Noise Means Nothing
Games
Realism
Home (FB)
Capsaicin Sea
Escapism
Force of Habit
Anytime, Anyplace
Many Yous
Members
Tim O’Keefe
Michael Taggart
Review
What Did We Expect? is the debut album from Post-Punk/New Wave/Shoegaze Rockers Damndest and it’s slightly different from our usual scheduled underground Doom/Stoner based programming. However, I’ve gotten back into the whole Shoegaze scene quite a bit over the last eighteen months or so and I was majorly impressed by what Damndest have achieved here for their debut album.
The whole record is one of reflection, moody surroundings and emotionally charged soundscapes that delves into areas of dark thematic themes. However the record can be superbly uplifting throughout the whole cinematic journey that Damndest takes the listener upon. The record does move into areas of Alt Rock, Indie Rock and even Psych Rock in places. Though, for the most part, Damndest takes influences from the likes of New Order, HUM, Slowdive, NOTHING and The Cure. The music is deeply rooted in the eighties and nineties Shoegaze environment with a Post-Punk attitude being projected through the lyrics and stunning vocals that accompany the music.
What Did We Expect? starts off in an exceptional way with the opening tracks of Intro, Noise Means Nothing and Games outlining Damndest’s main creative themes. Everything is played very low-key with Damndest keeping close to their Shoegaze narrative with the music not being overtly heavy but still demonstrating a wealth of Alt Rock and Shoegaze melodies.
There’s a Post-Rock element that starts to develop within the stunning tracks Games and Realism which gives the album a real grounded dimension that can be quite reflective especially when Damndest start experimenting with Ambient Sounds and trippy themes. This style of music becomes more part of the action as Damndest feels inspired by the likes of The Cure, HUM and REM on tracks such as HOME (FB) and Capsaicin Sea.
There is a sudden shift to gloomy atmospherics for the later stages of the record which allows that sullen and emotionally charged style of Post-Punk and Shoegaze to combine for some of the most engaging sounds on the whole record. Most of the tracks run under four minutes in length with Damndest staying away from the Prog Rock world for the whole record. This allows the music to be ALL KILLER and NO FILLER with Damndest superbly using every single second to their advantage in delivering a haunting musical experience.
Some folks may think some heavier dynamics are required but What Did We Expect? perfectly captures Damndest’s wicked sense of LO-FI blend of sonic exploration which shows a different side of Shoegaze. Sure, it doesn’t reach the dazzling and heavier heights of recent Shoegaze records from SOM and SLOW CRUSH but the musical impact is just the same. As this record is a first rate release for Shoegaze fans to fully get behind and truly get excited about.
Words by Steve Howe
What Did We Expect? will be available to buy digitally on all digital platforms from Thursday 15th January 2026.
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