This edition of Dream Pop Bops drifts into shimmering nostalgia, cinematic warmth and softly glowing emotion. Today’s pick takes the elegance of the 80s and filters it through a modern haze, creating something timeless and quietly transportive.
Still Ruins – Our Penance
Still Ruins turn longing into light, crafting a sophistipop daydream that feels both vintage and vividly alive
Los Angeles trio Still Ruins return with Our Penance, a lush and transportive track that folds 80s sophistipop into dream pop’s soft-focus glow. Built on aching vocals, warm guitars and a cinematic atmosphere, the song carries the elegance of a lost classic while opening the door to something strikingly present. Touchstones like Choir Boy, Tears for Fears and Prefab Sprout echo through its edges, yet the band shape these influences into a voice distinctly their own.
Formed in 2020 by Frankie Soto, Jose Medina and Cyrus Vandenberghe, Still Ruins have carved a sound rooted in emotion and refinement. Their blend of sophistipop, dream pop and post-punk subtlety gives Our Penance its distinct pulse, capturing both longing and clarity in equal measure.
With its glimmering textures and modern take on 80s romanticism, it’s one of my favourites of the year, and a radiant showcase of what Still Ruins do best, marking another luminous step towards their full-length album arriving in 2026.