X's (album)
| X's | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 12, 2024 | |||
| Length | 38:13 | |||
| Label |
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| Producer | Greg Gonzalez | |||
| Cigarettes After Sex chronology | ||||
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| Singles from X's | ||||
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X's is the upcoming third studio album by American ambient pop band Cigarettes After Sex, scheduled to be released through Partisan Records on July 12, 2024. It was preceded by the release of three singles, "Tejano Blue", "Dark Vacay" and "Baby Blue Movie".
Background[edit]
Following the band's second studio album, Cry (2019), they would release several singles which were recorded during the sessions of their self-titled album.[1] They would then announce X's on February 28, 2024.[2] The band's lead musician Greg Gonzalez stated that the album "feels brutal" to him. The musician revealed how he actually had to "write" and "sing" about a loss (of a four-year relationship), instead of just talking about it which would simply "scratch the surface".[3] Only then, he would be able to "learn from it" or "relive" it instead of just trying to forget about it.[4]
Music and writing[edit]
X's sees Gonzalez exploring "slow-dance pop ballads" of the 1970s and 1980s, while the lyrics deal with romance and intimacy.[5] Writing "Tejano Blue", its second track, it was inspired by Gonzalez's life in his hometown, El Paso, Texas, as well as Selena's "Como la Flor" and Cocteau Twins and "somehow" tried combining the sound of both artists.[2] "Hideaway" focuses on a specific moment in Gonzalez's life, when he and his girlfriend went to a beach near Marina del Rey, California to let their problems fade away.[6] "Dark Vacay", the sixth track, is about someone Gonzalez fell in love with a long time ago and how they fell apart while travelling through Europe, eventually breaking up after.[7] The title of its next track, "Baby Blue Movie", is a reference to softcore pornography and was primarily a reference to pornography before adding "Baby" onto the title.[8][9] The final track, "Ambien Slide", uses a Tejano beat.[10]
Promotion[edit]
The album's lead single, "Tejano Blue", was released on February 28, 2024. The album was officially announced on the same day.[11] On the same day, the band announced that they will embark on the X's World Tour throughout 2024 and 2025, in support of the album.[12] "Dark Vacay" was released as the album's second single on April 16, 2024.[13] "Baby Blue Movie" was released on June 4, 2024, as the album's third single.[14]
Track listing[edit]
All tracks are written by Greg Gonzalez.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "X's" | 3:33 |
| 2. | "Tejano Blue" | 3:54 |
| 3. | "Silver Sable" | 3:52 |
| 4. | "Hideaway" | 4:37 |
| 5. | "Holding You, Holding Me" | 3:30 |
| 6. | "Dark Vacay" | 3:33 |
| 7. | "Baby Blue Movie" | 4:05 |
| 8. | "Hot" | 3:57 |
| 9. | "Dreams from Bunker Hill" | 3:39 |
| 10. | "Ambien Slide" | 3:33 |
| Total length: | 38:13 | |
Personnel[edit]
Cigarettes After Sex
- Greg Gonzalez – vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar
- Randall Miller – bass
- Jacob Tomsky – drums
Additional musician
- Jeff Kite – keyboard
Production
- Greg Gonzalez – production
- Rocky Gallo – mixing
- Greg Calbi – mastering
References[edit]
- ^ Castro, Lauren (February 28, 2024). "Cigarettes After Sex Is More Addictive Than Ever". Texas Monthly. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ^ a b Kelly, Tyler Damara (February 28, 2024). "Cigarettes After Sex announce their forthcoming album, X's". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ^ Pearis, Bill (February 28, 2024). "Cigarettes After Sex announce new LP & 2024 tour, playing Madison Square Garden". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ^ Carter, Daisy (February 28, 2024). "Cigarettes After Sex confirm new album X's with world tour announcement". DIY. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ^ Ragusa, Paolo (February 28, 2024). "Cigarettes After Sex Announce New Album X's, Detail World Tour". Consequence. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ^ Mitra, Jay (July 2, 2024). "Cigarettes After Sex want their music to be medicine". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara (April 16, 2024). "Cigarettes After Sex share new track, "Dark Vacay"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ Deville, Chris (June 4, 2024). "Cigarettes After Sex Share New Single "Baby Blue Movie": Listen". Stereogum. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
- ^ Partridge, Ken (June 4, 2024). "Cigarettes After Sex Reference Softcore Porn On New Song "Baby Blue Movie"". Genius. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
- ^ Angan, Kara (June 3, 2024). "Cigarettes After Sex Are Ready To Confront Nostalgia In X's". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ Deville, Chris (February 28, 2024). "Cigarettes After Sex Announce New Album X's: Hear "Tejano Blue"". Stereogum. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ^ Grimes, Navier (February 28, 2024). "Cigarettes After Sex Announce World Arena Tour + New LP, Share "Tejano Blue" Single". Live Nation Entertainment. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ Rettig, James (April 16, 2024). "Cigarettes After Sex – "Dark Vacay"". Stereogum. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara (June 4, 2024). "Cigarettes After Sex unveils new single, "Baby Blue Movie"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved June 4, 2024.