There's something inherently nostalgic and kind of wholesome about the new TikTok Pinegrove Shuffle trend making the rounds at the moment. If you haven't come across it on your recent scrolls, then look no further! You'll find what you're looking for below.

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The flailing limbs.

The youthful abandon.

The Midwest emo soundtrack.

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The Pinegrove Shuffle is so much more than the sum of its parts.

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The whole thing started with the OG shuffler, Garrett Lee (who gets a 10/10 for pure showmanship and an undying entrepreneurial spirit). By combining a dance move inspired by DJ Khalid + emo/hardcore culture, a suburban lawn backdrop, and the track 'Need 2' by Pinegrove, Garrett had unknowingly stumbled upon a formula for the TikTok content we didn't know we needed until it was right there in front of us.

The date was June 9th, 2023. The exact time, I couldn't say. But there it was in all its glory. And that was just the beginning. Accumulating 10 million views since its birth a few weeks ago, the clip has been admired, recreated, and unconditionally loved by the tight-knit community that was swiftly built around it.

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Evan from Pinegrove joined in the fun recently, sharing a TikTok that shows everyone how to play the chords in 'Need 2', adding to the sense of community that I can't help but feel.

Internet culture is ageing well, like a fine wine on some exotic Italian vineyard. We've come a long way since the Soulja Boy 'Crank That' viral dance days of old. Back then, the internet was still in its infancy. While undeniably taken by storm around the whole world, the trend was linear, and a bit basic. Fast-forward 16 years; the Pinegrove Shuffle is the hot new craze. It's a multifaceted beast. An amalgamation of cultural references on top of cultural references. A rich blend of existential angst, emo-sensibility, and a silly little dance, all wrapped up in a neat little package.

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Strictly for market research purposes, I decided to make my own interpretation and share it on TikTok to try and achieve some semblance of viral sensation. You can view my failed attempt below :)