Cigarettes After Sex Announces New Album ‘X’s’ and Global Tour
Shoegaze veterans Cigarettes After Sex are gearing up for a new chapter with their upcoming album, X’s, and a world tour that includes iconic venues like Madison Square Garden and London’s O2 Arena. They play Montreal’s Bell Centre on August 31.
The ten-track record, due out July 12th via Partisan Records, marks a departure for frontman Greg Gonzalez, drawing inspiration from 70s/80s slow dance vibes rather than the band’s usual 50s and 60s touchstones. While subtle, the shift results in an overall energy akin to “disco ball-refracted tears on the dance floor.”
X’s centralizes on a single, four-year relationship, a stark contrast to the band’s previous work that drew from an amalgamation of experiences. “The record feels brutal, honestly,” admits Gonzalez. “I have to really write about it, sing about it, have the music, and then I can start to analyze and learn from it.”
The album’s first single, “Tejano Blue,” is a nod to Gonzalez’s Texas roots and the Tejano music of his childhood. The track blends the sounds of Selena and Cocteau Twins, reflecting Gonzalez’s attempt to reconnect with the music he once dismissed.
This introspective journey continues throughout the record, with “Dreams From Bunker Hill” offering a nostalgic look back at the relationship’s early days in isolation, and “Holding You, Holding Me” capturing the initial spark with its danceable sway.
The title track, “X’s,” takes inspiration from the infamous markings left by Marilyn Monroe on photos from her final photoshoot, symbolizing both vulnerability and rejection. Musically, the song evokes the band’s classic hit “Sweet,” a track that director David Lynch found hopeful.
“Dark Vacay” juxtaposes the band’s earlier, euphoric European tour experiences with the unravelling of a relationship on the road. The album concludes with “Ambien Slide,” a poignant reflection on the pain of a love’s dissolution.
X’s is a deeply personal record, one that confronts heartbreak head-on while preserving cherished memories. As Gonzalez himself says, “I have to confront everything I went through, that’s just how I make peace.”
Tickets for the accompanying world tour go on sale on March 5th, with an artist presale kicking things off. Cigarettes After Sex are committed to ensuring fans have access to tickets at face value, utilizing Ticketmaster’s Face Value Exchange program.
Photo Cred: Ebru Yildiz
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