New Music: Dilute_Calico98 – gravelord

Published On: October 11th, 2026|

VIRTUA, the sophomore album from California’s Dilute_Calico98, isn’t for purists. But if you’re open to shoegaze with an alt twist, then get into gravelord.

There’s a distorted, even blackened, lo-fi aspect to the track that gradually builds over its relatively short run time. It doesn’t feel like it comes in under three minutes, as the haze of the first two minutes or so transmutes into a different beast.

Powerful and primal, breaking in like a sudden thunderstorm, when it hits, it still feels unexpected, even after a few listens. Cleansing, a symbol of catharsis, you might be unsure where it’s taken you psychologically – all the more reason to dive into themes of isolation that are present here, and on the album as a concept.

Dilute_Calico98 play regularly in the central and southern California region – you can get gig info on their Instagram feed. VIRTUA came out in August via Seyerland and is streaming on Spotify and YouTube.

Header image by Jaxon Whittington