Cigarettes After Sex, the Texas trio fronted by lyricist and guitarist Greg Gonzalez, have just begun an expansive tour of North America in celebration of the five-year anniversary of their self-titled debut record. The itinerary snakes from west to east and then halfway back again, and they’ve also commemorated Cigarettes After Sex with a vinyl reissue in both clear and white, reflecting the band’s unfailing commitment to the monochrome. With music that meanders through the air much like the smoke emanating from a shared post-coital dart, the band occupies that ephemeral space between ecstasy and reality, with a clarity that can cut both ways.
But if your internal monologue seems to think that Cigarettes After Sex has been around longer than five years, you’d be right – they first made waves with the EP I., which itself is marking ten years from its release. The band found success in the recurring popularity of ‘Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby’, which has gone on to soundtrack many a piece of media including characteristically heart-wrenching moments in shows like The Handmaid’s Tale. That recording has a rawness to it that contrasts with Gonzalez’s hypnotic vocals – the drums are unfettered by production, and the echoing guitar part begins so quietly its presence almost seems accidental.
While preparing for this tour with his main project, Gonzalez also took time to collaborate with Daniele Luppi, the Italian composer with an impressive resume spanning TV, film, and work with a host of venerable musicians. In the 18-minute effort, entitled Charm of Pleasure, Luppi surrounds the liminal space Gonzalez inhabits with orchestral brilliance, imparting a distinct elegance without distorting the dreamlike, delicate nature of his delivery. ‘You Never Loved’ in particular strikes the figure of a melancholy Bond theme, somehow making this already-filmic music even more suited to the big screen.
As far as their upcoming live shows, fans can likely expect Gonzalez to commit to the spirit of the tour and explore the tracklist of the self-titled LP thoroughly, taking the audience through the gorgeous imagery of laser-specific songs like ‘K.’ and into somewhat more abstract territory in ‘Apocalypse’ and beyond. It’s also probable the set will see highlights from I. as well as their more recent release, 2019’s Cry – but no matter where Gonzalez and his band draw from night to night, it’s poised to be a treat, as Cigarettes After Sex boast a library of song that’s consistently captivating and moving, much as the band’s chosen visuals remain firmly grounded in their chosen monochrome, almost Lynchian environs.
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