Shoegaze emerged in the UK and Ireland in the late 80s as a subgenre of indie The genre got its name as bands often stared at their shoes to change the pedals. In addition, shoegaze is ethereal and trance-like. This sound is achieved through obscure vocals, guitar distortion, layering effects, and feedback.
Shoegaze was, at one point, an insult. Critics didn’t like the nonperformative nature of the genre. Robert Smith of The Cure once played with Siouxsie and the Banshees. Smith was focused on feeling the music and stood there and played guitar.
my bloody valentine’s 1991 album Loveless is often cited as the genre defining album. Shoegaze bands are influenced by garage rock, psychedelic, and various American indie bands (Dinosaur Jr., Sonic Youth) as well as bands like The Velvet Underground, The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees. 
Shoegaze quickly faded in the 90s as many bands changed their sound to the more popular genres of the time (grunge/britpop) or disbanded. Slowdive’s 3rd album Pygmalion leaned more into post-rock. They were also dropped by their label a week after the album’s release in 1995.
Despite the quick fade in the UK, it had an immense impact in the US. In the late 90s/ early 2000s Nu Gaze (shoegaze, but with more drums) and Blackgaze (black metal + shoegaze) emerged. My Vitriol’s album Finelines is a nu gaze defining album and Deafheaven’s album Sunbather defined blackgaze.

Starting Over- LSD and the Search for God
Fifty-fifty Clown- Cocteau Twins
Ease- Whirr
Slowdive- Slowdive
Soon- my bloody valentine
Safe In Your Skin- Title Fight
Fever Queen- Nothing
Uncover- Narrow Head
Tugboat- Galaxie 500
Pancake- Swirlies
Flood in Heaven- The Daysleepers
Off Your Face- my bloody valentine
Lovely Times- Suburban Living
Kick The Tragedy- Drop Nineteens
True Coming Dream- Pale Saints
Dayflower- Cathedral Bells
Sweetness and Light- Lush
flutter- julie
Starlife- Sweet Trip
Cemented Shoes- My Vitriol
You Without End- Deafheaven
Burial- Ghost Bath
Bloodhail- Have A Nice Life