SCHØØL’S NEW SINGLE “THE END” BRINGS MELANCHOLIA BACK TO SHOEGAZE

If you’ve been searching for something to fill a void since singles have become formatted to two minutes or less, look no further than Germany’s SCHØØL. Their new single, “The End,” is a voluminous, nearly 9-minute track that covers all the genre’s bases in just one song.

Abundantly sad, “The End” is precisely what it sounds like. The lyrics tell the story of someone struggling severely with depression, so here is a heavy content warning before you listen to the track. Modern society is somewhat daunting, with responsibilities and expectations that are entirely unavoidable, regardless of where you live.

Thankfully, the kids in SCHØØL have each other; these feelings can be profoundly isolating, despite knowing that millions of others also struggle with their mental health. Generational struggles don’t help, nor do cultural barriers where topics explored in “The End” are taboo.

Music has always been a place to express yourself, even in less pretty parts. Instrumentally tight with acute composition, “The End” shines a spotlight on shoegaze that has been missing for some time. Its daring willingness to take huge risks could take SCHØØL from a local small-time act to a significant genre trailblazer.