Picture someone standing on the balcony with arms wide open like a bird’s wings, eyes shut, wind in hair and body slowly maneuvering a spin, dancing out liberty. The first 55 seconds of “P.S. (Please Stay)” by the shoegaze supergroup Commemorate offers that cinematic value that makes imagining a light work for its audience. When Sasha Ningkan’s soft voice whisper-sings, “There’s a sadness in her eyes / Unspoken thoughts / Lying for truth,” you immediately get welcomed into the world built slowly in the band’s second single.

The emergence of another shoegaze band in the scene might add to the growing list of groups to watch, but Commemorate stands out with a unique selling point that most newer shoegaze bands lack: they’re a shoegaze supergroup. The band consists primarily of members from the hardcore scene, including 41, Crack Guilty, Damage Digital, Epaulard, i/am/rain, KLPHQ, orbitcinta benjamin, Reset to Zilch and Spacebar Collective. This adds an extra layer of pressure on the band, not only because of their background but also because they’ve chosen to enter the scene at a time when the shoegaze movement is at its peak. Can we say the stakes are higher for them? Definitely.

Formed in 2023, the band draws influence from legendary shoegazers like My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive (as do most shoegaze bands, of course). Their debut album was released in physical formats under LaMunai Records, the Indonesian label that also represents artists like White Shoes and The Couples Company, BAP, as well as The Panturas. “P.S. (Please Stay)” offers a taste — a glimpse, a preview — of what this supergroup could bring to the table and a chance to stand out even more than many of the newer, younger bands in the scene.

On this track, it seems that Commemorate understands that nothing lasts forever, and it is quite a manifesto — an encouragement to appreciate the tenderness of a human’s heart, with decision and precision. A quiet, undemanding query goes through, “We lost in our heads now? / Will it be mine beginning to end”. Uncertainty is an intangible piece of omen. A hint to let go of the invisible burden, which is the worst-case-scenario in seeking validation, one can never secure for certain areas in life. Commemorate professes the concept of “emotional current” in their music. The mutuality of universal emotions to connect to a wider audience should give the band a chance for fame. 

Compared to their first single, “Slow Down” which carries an optimistic tone with a dream pop influence and an overall balanced beat that’s easy on the ears, “P.S. (Please Stay)” on the other hand feels like an unrestrained, hopeless romantic jam rooted in post-rock. The characteristics of this single are bold in their subtlety: the blended noise, droning melodies, and melancholic emotions all reflect the band’s commitment to shoegaze. 

So, is there hope for Commemorate — with their background, influences and foothold in the scene — to become more than just another shoegaze band brimming with potential? This single suggests so. The future now calls on Commemorate to deepen their mark and reaffirm their place in the genre’s ever-growing wave.

Stream “P.S. (Please Stay)” on Bandcamp: 

Alina M. grew up romanticising poetry and breaking free from the societal norm. Born in ‘98, she emerged between the millennial and Gen-Z, bewildered by the two generations’ traits. She turns out to be a creative writer who loves prose and dwells upon dark academia culture.