Cigarettes After Sex have become a YouTube sensation with the single Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby. As it goes, the views were rising, and the song generated a hype due to its hypnotic, dreamy and atmospheric sound. The name of the band aided the excitement, so a substantial anticipation engendered when it comes to their debut album.
The band’s members are Greg Gonzales (the founder and the vocalist), Phillip Tubbs (synths), Randy Miller (bass) and Jacob Tomsky (drums). They dropped their first EP titled I back in 2012, which opened the door of the music scene for them. Every new single attracted the attention of the audience and the critics.
Debut album brings a novel about the band, as Greg Gonzales notes. After short cuts in the form of singles, this comes as a whole story. Further on, he accentuated how he wanted for the album to be a well-rounded piece with repetitive images. It is one whole world. The album is complete not only because it is a full-length release, but also because it contains the overall image of what the band wants to deliver. Additionally, the theme is coherent, so the narrative does not come off as partialized. Ambient, atmosphere and dreamy sound are ubiquitous on every song. The lyrics are revolving around love and sex, but it is all supported by an ironic and sarcastic approach.
Greg Gonzales does not write as he was happy or disappointed. He literally dissects his love experiences and plays with them without any remorse. Androgynous quality of his vocal is congruent to androgynous lyrics. Trinity Session, Red House Painters and Cocteau Twins are conspicuous music influences, so it comes as no surprise that Cigarettes After Sex sound as ambient dream pop band with noir shtick. Playing with imaginarium of androgyny is hinted in song titles.
The album unfolds with K, and it starts as If the smoke has suddenly appeared on the stage where Greg and his crew will play their hypnotic songs. Synths are subtle, but as the album goes on, they become more intense. K is actually Kristen, so we are dealing with love song here with strong motives and images of city life. Each Time You Fall In Love is a soundtrack of nightmare love. Each time you have a dream you never know what it means, You see that open road & never know which way to go.
Love-sex theme escalates in Apocalypse. The song refers to every love encounter as a small apocalypse. You disappear in The Other. Fully emotional and intense, this song is the best indicator of the whole album. Truly is the only number that does not sound melancholic, because it offers fresh dreaminess and positive lyrics. Towards the end of the album, the band proves that they also have a strong sense in irony. John Wayne and Young & Dumb stand as strong evidences that Cigarettes After Sex are not only for dreams; they are the type of band that wakes you up.
So, wake up and have a cigarette after sex.
