Cigarettes After Sex’s newest album, X’s, is a hazy, silky, softcore ’70s love flick brought to lift through an evocative, dreamy soundtrack. It’s a journey through the consuming highs and lows of a relationship, maintaining the dreamy, comfortable sound they are known for. From the opening titular track, X’s envelops you like a warm, scented bath. CAS’s signature ability to infuse their music with a timeless quality is evident, effortlessly blurring the lines between decades. Listening to this album, you could be transported to the ’90s or decades into the future. In an era where younger generations crave nostalgic sounds from times they never experienced, CAS fits this genre seamlessly.

Consistency is both a strength and a weakness for Cigarettes After Sex. X’s could have been released alongside any of their previous albums, and you’d be hard-pressed to notice the difference. While Greg Gonzalez has successfully crafted a timeless sound, this album at times feels stagnant, lacking in innovation. Perhaps their next project will venture further within the boundaries they’ve set for themselves.

Lyrically, X’s occasionally falls flat, with some songs lacking depth. New listeners might be taken aback by the explicitness in tracks like “Tejano Blue”: “We wanted to fuck like all the time / and when you got back from your flight it was the first thing we did.” Despite this, the album exhibits a more toned-down and introspective side compared to their earlier work. In “Hot,” Gonzalez sings, “Is it all in my head / cause I keep getting scared / that I’ll always be lost forever,” showcasing a vulnerability that hints at deeper potential.

One of the album’s greatest strengths lies in its production. Dream-pop delights in blending vocals into a mystic atmosphere created through reverb, deep bass, and melodic synths. X’s allows Gonzalez’s voice to expand, guiding you through the shifting, smoky soundscape. The reverb-laden guitars embrace the drifting synthesizers, while the methodic bass keeps you grounded, creating an immersive experience.

Conceptually, X’s reflects on a love that didn’t work out, capturing the sultry essence of a doomed romance. Despite its lack of variety and occasionally shallow lyrics, the album succeeds in crafting a timeless, seductive pop experience. The impeccable production allows the music to seep into your skin, making it the perfect soundtrack for those main character moments in your life when you need to feel both lost and found in a cinematic haze.

Pre Order X’s by Cigarettes After Sex HERE