In 1983, Kevin Shields, Colm Ó Cíosóig, Belinda Butcher and Debbie Googe came together to form the band My Bloody Valentine.
In their career, they have had changes in both genre and sound. Eventually, many years of experimentation came together to form their unique sound in the “shoegaze” genre. Shoegaze is a term coined by English music critics to describe bands who use a lot of guitar pedals while performing live.
Over their time as a band, My Bloody Valentine has released four full length albums and four EPs to streaming services, as well as various compilations and remixes.
However, since music is inherently subjective, it is important to note that there is no definitive answer to what the best My Bloody Valentine album is when ranking them from worst to best.

Ecstasy: 8

“Ecstasy” showcases an early sound reminiscent of post punk and noise pop bands such as Joy Division and The Flaming Lips as well as other shoegaze bands such as Jesus and the Mary Chain and Cocteau Twins.
While there is some really great songwriting on this record, the songs are so low fidelity that it’s difficult to hear what is being played on each instrument, making this the number eight pick.

Feed Me With Your Kiss: 7

1988’s “Feed Me With Your Kiss” is My Bloody Valentine’s second studio EP. At this point, they had ventured past their garage rock and noise pop influences.
This dark and gritty album contains angstier songwriting with a more gothic twist on their original sound. The songs are more experimental, but there is a significant lack in sonic quality when comparing it to their former EP, “You Made Me Realize.”

Isn’t Anything: 6

My Bloody Valentine’s “Isn’t Anything” is the second album in their discography. It was released shortly after their 1988 EP “Feed Me With Your Kiss.” Sonically, these two albums are extremely similar, as multiple songs from “Feed Me With Your Kiss” appear on this album.
The songs on this album also align with the grittier songwriting of their previous project, dealing with subjects such as depression and suicide on the song “Sueisfine” and multiple personality disorder in “Several Girls Galore.”

Even though this record displays really strong songwriting, the overall production on this album is still representative of an underdeveloped band who has not yet reached their full potential, thus putting it at the sixth spot.

Tremolo: 5

My Bloody Valentine’s “Tremolo” marks a turning point in their sound, showcasing a sound more akin to the modern definition of “shoegaze.”
With heavy reverse reverb and fuzzy guitars, the soundscapes that were created with this record are extremely notable within the history of the shoegaze subgenre, which means it can be safely placed at the number five spot.

Glider: 4

“Glider” is the record that marks a huge upgrade in sound and songwriting, as well as experimenting with genre blending.
This genre blending technique can be heard best on the song “Soon” which has hip-hop influences, seen through the usage of techniques such as breakbeats which was prominent in hip-hop at the time. Breakbeats are created when a drum sample gets spliced and broken up and then played through a midi-controller to create an entirely new drum beat.

This record was extremely difficult to compare to their succeeding EP “Tremolo” due to the fact that they are extremely similar in songwriting and tone; however, the songwriting here is undeniably better than “Tremolo,” placing it at number four.

You Made me Realize: 3

“You Made Me Realize” is the album where My Bloody Valentine found their unique sound. It contains all the aforementioned trademarks of their music, while also having easily digestible songwriting that appeals to a more general audience.

The recordings on this record are crisp and clear, and provide for an overall easier listening experience which gives this record a solid position at number three.

M B V: 2
My Bloody Valentine had been radio silent for 22 years since 1991, and their only appearance was an international tour in 2008.
However, this all changed in 2013 during the release of “M B V.” The first half of this record is tonally very similar to 1991’s “Loveless,” but nearing the end of the album, they blend genres, combining hip-hop, drum and bass, and house music This record has by far the best production on any My Bloody Valentine album and superb songwriting, making this a great candidate for the number two spot.

Loveless: 1

Loveless has been described by many as My Bloody Valentine’s magnum opus, the most influential shoegaze record to date. Even Pitchfork, the online music publication, named “Loveless” the best album of the 1990s. The album trademarked important musical and recording techniques used throughout the genre. With songs like “Sometimes” and “To Here Knows When,” you can see how much their sound has evolved from where they first started, and it’s clear to see why My Bloody Valentine’s “Loveless” is such a big hit and is ranked number one. Since the inception of this band, there have been many passing musical niches and fads, but My Bloody Valentine’s music has stood the test of time, and it is clear that they will continue to promote musical experimentation among the younger generations of artists to come.