Ongoing History of New Music What Exactly is Post Rock? Part 2
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Jan 28, 2026 A deep dive into the origins and philosophy of post‑rock and why it resists easy definition. Profiles of seminal bands from Slint and Mogwai to Sigur Rós and Explosions in the Sky. Exploration of regional styles from Tokyo to Scandinavia and how the sound blends with shoegaze, math rock, ambient and post‑metal. Suggestions for where to keep listening.
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Post-Rock As A Musical Philosophy
- Post-rock is less a genre than a musical philosophy about textures and experimentation.
- Alan Cross frames it as what happens when rock instruments stop behaving like rock instruments.
Slint's Spiderland Influence
- Slint's Spiderland became foundational despite the band breaking up before its 1991 release.
- Billy Corgan praised Slint and even recruited guitarist David Pajo for Zwan, showing their outsized influence.
Mogwai's Instrumental Dynamics
- Mogwai formed in Glasgow in 1995 and built long instrumental pieces with huge dynamic contrasts.
- Stuart Braithwaite noted listeners miss lyrics and get upset when they can't sing along.