Rock · GB · Active since 2017

BACKSPACE

Nervous, interlocking guitars meet hypnotic rhythms. A gritty blend of psychedelic tension and post-punk attitude for late nights in the city.

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Intro

Backspace (退格) is a pivotal act in the contemporary Beijing underground scene, formed in 2016 by four musicians from Southern China. Their sound identity is defined by a 'nervous' dual-guitar interplay and minimalist, repetitive structures that draw heavily from the lineage of New York No Wave and German Krautrock, while maintaining a distinctively Chinese indie sensibility.

14 and Hedgehog. Their career arc shows an evolution from the raw, garage-influenced 'Human Nature Architecture' to the more sophisticated, conceptually dense 'Ants Corrupt Elephant.' Critical consensus highlights their ability to translate the alienation of the digital generation into a sonic language that is both confrontational and intellectually stimulating. They occupy a cultural position as spokespeople for a 'refusal' of traditional adult structures, utilizing surrealist lyrics and rhythmic tension to explore themes of emptiness and existential questioning. Their influence web connects Western post-punk icons like Television to the burgeoning experimental rock scenes of East Asia.

Our Catalog2 Albums · 2018 · 2021
The Sound · Center of GravityWeighted across the artist's discography. Tap a trait for examples.
Adjacent Artists
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Norma

Shares psychedelic rock, indie rock, post-punk (subgenres); urban_night, basement_show, fog (atmosphere)

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SMILE

Shares post-punk, indie rock, noise rock (subgenres); noise_textured, lo_fi, dry_intimate (production style)

N
Norma

Shares art rock, post-punk, psychedelic rock (subgenres); lo_fi, dry_intimate, noise_textured (production style)

S
Skinner

Shares lo_fi, dry_intimate, noise_textured (production style); urban_night, basement_show, fog (atmosphere)

S
Smallwhitelight

Shares indie rock, psychedelic rock, art rock (subgenres); lo_fi, noise_textured, analog_warmth (production style)

H
Housewife

Shares indie rock, art rock, post-punk (subgenres); lo_fi, dry_intimate, noise_textured (production style)

Rats on Rafts
Rats on Rafts

Shares psychedelic rock, post-punk, art rock (subgenres); urban_night, basement_show, fog (atmosphere)

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Lunch

Shares lo_fi, dry_intimate, noise_textured (production style); restless, anxious, defiant (moods)

N
Norma

Shares psychedelic rock, indie rock, post-punk (subgenres); lo_fi, noise_textured, analog_warmth (production style)

B
Beef

Shares indie rock, art rock, noise rock (subgenres); lo_fi, dry_intimate, noise_textured (production style)

N
Norma

Shares noise rock, deadpan, post-punk, psychedelic rock (subgenre)

I
Institute

Shares dry_intimate, noise rock, deadpan, anxious (signature)

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