Floating Also: The Ethereal Sound of Dream Pop

Floating Also is the dream pop recording project of multi-instrumentalist and producer Elara Vance, originating from Bristol, United Kingdom. The artist achieved a notable underground breakthrough with the 2018 debut album Mirror Lake, which charted on the UK Independent Albums Breakers Chart and has been streamed over 50 million times globally.

Early career

Elara Vance formed Floating Also as a solo endeavor in 2014 while studying sound design. Early experiments blending ethereal vocals with layered guitar textures and analog synth pads were captured on the self-released 2016 EP Glass Atmospheres. This limited cassette release garnered attention from several independent labels, leading to a signing with London-based indie imprint Spectral Sound in early 2017.

Breakthrough

The project's major breakthrough arrived in 2018 with the release of the debut full-length Mirror Lake on Spectral Sound. Lead single Silver Drift received heavy rotation on BBC Radio 6 Music and propelled the album to number 12 on the UK Independent Album Breakers Chart. The album's sustained digital sales later earned it a silver certification from the BPI in the UK.

Key tracks

Silver Drift — This breakthrough single defined the Floating Also sound with its shimmering guitar lines and became a staple on alternative radio.

Mirror Lake — The album's title track showcases the project's mastery of atmospheric build and dynamic, cinematic song structures.

Hollow Sun (feat. Rainsford) — A key collaboration that introduced a haunting duet dynamic to the Floating Also discography.

Coastline — This fan-favorite track from the second album exemplifies a brighter, more rhythm-driven evolution in their dream pop style.

Continued Evolution and Collaborations

The sophomore album Distant Signals arrived in 2021, debuting at number 24 on the UK Official Albums Chart. It featured a notable collaboration with producer and mixer David Wrench, known for his work with The xx and Caribou. Floating Also contributed production and vocals to the track Fade Line on electronic act Maribou State's 2023 album, further expanding their reach within the alternative scene.

For fans of the lush, textured sound of Floating Also, explore similar artists featured on our site. The atmospheric rock of London Grammar shares a focus on powerful vocals and spacious production. The intricate guitar work of The xx mirrors the minimal yet emotive foundations of many Floating Also tracks. Listeners also gravitate toward the dream pop soundscapes of Beach House for a similar hypnotic quality. The UK's own Warpaint offers a comparable blend of ethereal vocals and intricate, driving instrumentation.

The music of Floating Also maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly across specialty programs on public radio networks and dedicated online radio streams focusing on independent music and the dream pop genre. Their tracks are frequently featured in the playlists of modern alternative rock radio stations seeking sophisticated, atmospheric sound.

You can hear the immersive dream pop of Floating Also on a variety of radio stations featured here on onairium.com. Tune in to discover their discography and experience the ethereal sound that has defined this compelling UK artist's career.