Written by a band which is known for their dream-like musical style, this song captures the midnight melancholy of love, attraction, limerence – and everything in between.
The ambience of this song is characterised by the contrast of the vocals, which are calming, tender and androgynous in quality, against the lengthy electronic instrumentation and dominating echoey reverb. The lead singer slowly rocks you into a lulling sense of safety and encasement, whilst the electronic waves simultaneously create a feeling of spaciousness, fluidity and liminal existence.
There is a somewhat cinematic quality to the track; you can almost envision it narrating the carefree and yet wildly intense emotions of a pair of new lovers, sharing a midnight drive, briefly holding hands as the traffic lights momentarily halt them.
Beneath the hazy and dream-like exterior, a darker and shadowy undercurrent emerges. The calmness of the vocal delivery coupled with themes of control and obsession, creates depth, darkness and a sense of real perversion. Ultimately, it’s complex - and complexity is best served up at midnight.
You can learn more about Cigarettes After Sex here.
About The Curator - Jeanna Colhoun
Having previously graduated from The University of Liverpool with a BA (Hons) in Music, Jeanna is currently a student working towards her MSc in Marketing. Originally from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, her time spent in Liverpool – a city known for its rich musical heritage and thriving music scene – has enabled her to flourish among a community of fellow music lovers and network with other young creatives. Presently, Jeanna is exploring the exciting career opportunities within digital marketing of music and the arts, and hopes to secure a graduate job later this year.