SINGLE REVIEW: The First Eloi - Shoe Button Eyes

'Shoe Button Eyes' is a deep dive into emotional desolation, blending eerie storytelling with a sound that teeters on the edge of the surreal. Drawing inspiration from a chilling 1950s horror comic, the song unravels a tale of losing one’s ability to feel, encapsulated in lyrics that linger in the mind like a dark secret: "One of the things I’ve never said, the yarn you pull is turning red..."

The track has an unsettling yet magnetic quality, recorded in Hamburg but honed to perfection by Jordan McLeod in L.A. The First Eloi create a soundscape that’s as hard to categorise as it is to forget—melding the dreamy, distorted vibes of Shoegaze with the raw edge of Grungegaze. Their influences are clear, nodding to bands like My Bloody Valentine and DIIV, but they infuse these sounds with a unique intensity.

Emerging in 2022, The First Eloi bring together seasoned Post-Punk influences and fresh Gen Z perspectives, resulting in a musical blend that feels both familiar and entirely new. Their name, borrowed from H.G. Wells’ vision of a future society in The Time Machine, hints at the band's fascination with dystopian themes and existential musings. Enid’s haunting vocals, combined with the band's textured layers, create an immersive experience that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

'Shoe Button Eyes' is not just a song—it’s a disquieting journey that stays with you long after the final chord has echoed into silence.