Audiopile Review: By now, you must know how much we love Seefeel. Sitting pretty at the intersection of shoegaze and IDM, Seefeel is a 90s touchstone for true heads, and surely a dream come true for newcomers. In case you happen to be one of those newcomers, we’ll mention that Seefeel emerged from the same early-90s London scene that produced sub rosa legends like Bark Psychosis and Disco Inferno. Back then, this was known as (whisper it) ‘post-rock’. While other acts from the scene were met with shocking indifference, Seefeel quickly established a cult audience among shoegazers and ravers alike, which eventually led to a contract with Warp Records. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves, because we’re here to talk about our record of the week, a new reissue of ‘Quique’, the group’s unimpeachably classic 1993 debut album. ‘Quique’ still sounds astoundingly unique and otherworldly three decades on. Imagine the Cocteau Twins attempting a dub version of Steve Reich’s ‘Electric Counterpoint’ and you’re about five percent of the way to this record’s timeless majesty. Heavily processed guitars cascade backwards and forwards over hypnotic beats, all anchored by rib-shaking basslines then taken over the top by Sarah Peacock’s cooing vocals. Nothing sounds like ‘Quique’ and yet its exotic dreamscapes feel utterly right, like something you’ve been waiting to hear your entire life but could never quite imagine. And ‘Quique’ has never sounded better. Working directly on behalf of Too Pure, the label that originally released ‘Quique’ (as well as the debut albums by PJ Harvey, Stereolab, and Mouse on Mars), Beggars Arkive has done a magnificent job here. Seriously, hats off to Beggars for supporting this kind of thing. Their deluxe 2023 reissue of Moonshake’s ‘Eva Luna’ (a significantly more obscure post-rock classic) was one of the most heroic labours of love the reissue industry has produced recently. Now, with a brand-new remastering job and some very handsome packaging, this great sounding edition of ‘Quique’ is a must-have for fans of dreampop, 90s ambient, and UK post-rock alike. And yeah, that includes those of us lucky enough to have a Too Pure original. Truly, truly essential.

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“Seefeel’s Quique emerged in 1993 on the Too Pure label, blending elements of shoegaze, ambient, and electronic music into an innovative and genre-defying sound. The record’s complex textures, pulsating rhythms, and ethereal melodies create an immersive listening experience, with tracks like “Climactic Phase #3” and “Industrious” showcasing the band’s pioneering approach. Mark Clifford’s intricate production, combined with Sarah Peacock’s delicate vocals, crafts a dreamlike atmosphere. Quique was a trailblazer for the fusion of organic and digital soundscapes.”