X's
Cigarettes After Sex · 2024
37 min · 10 tracks
Ethereal dream pop intertwines with intimate lyrical confessions, enveloping listeners in a haze of longing and nostalgia.
Top tracks — play these first
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X’s — The opening track establishes the album's dreamy atmosphere with its haunting melodies and sets the tone for themes of desire and connection.
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Tejano Blue — This track stands out with its unique blend of Tex-Mex influences and atmospheric production, illustrating the band's sonic versatility.
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Holding you, Holding me — This poignant love song captures the essence of intimacy through its tender lyrics and delicate instrumentation, making it emotionally resonant.
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Baby Blue Movie — With its cinematic quality and reflective storytelling, this track highlights the album's thematic exploration of love and vulnerability.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's lush soundscapes and introspective lyrics create an engaging yet familiar experience for listeners.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that establishes a slow, atmospheric tempo, which is maintained throughout the first half.
- Each song features layered instrumentation with reverb-heavy guitars and soft synths, creating a cohesive soundscape.
- Lyrically, the tracks often feature repetitive phrases that enhance the dreamlike quality and emotional resonance.
- The final two tracks introduce a slight increase in tempo, providing a subtle shift in energy before concluding.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- intimate moments of quiet reflection
- hazy nostalgia for past loves
- dreamlike soundscapes for relaxation
- for late-night introspection
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of upbeat tempos
- prefer instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on July 12, 2024, X's marks Cigarettes After Sex's third studio album, following the commercially successful Cry. At this point, the band had solidified their signature sound and garnered a dedicated fanbase, setting high expectations for their next artistic exploration.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Beach House· Mazzy Star· Lana Del Rey
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 X’s 3:03
- 2 Tejano Blue 3:54
- 3 Silver Sable 3:51
- 4 Hideaway 4:36
- 5 Holding you, Holding me 3:30
- 6 Dark Vacay 3:33
- 7 Baby Blue Movie 4:04
- 8 Hot 3:57
- 9 Dreams From Bunker Hill 3:39
- 10 Ambien Slide 3:33
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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