Virgins
‘b l o o m s’
Photo credit: Ebony Alexander Media
Out April 3rd via Blowtorch Records
“The most promising fuzz guitar band since My Bloody Valentine” – Hot Press
“Delicious, ethereal vocals… a truly glorious riff, the song floats around beautifully, sometimes feeling like a murmuration and then moments later like a jet plane taking off” (★★★★★) – XSNoize
“Virgins come correct with hooky gaze-pop” – Nialler9
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Following the success of their critically acclaimed debut album ‘Nothing Hurt and Everything Was Beautiful’, Belfast-based shoegaze risers Virgins return with the intoxicating new single ‘b l o o m s’ (April 3rd via Blowtorch Records). The track sees the band further evolve their sound, pushing into darker, more dynamic territories, whilst retaining the euphoric textures that have defined their rise in the shoegaze scene to date.
Produced by Simon Francis (The Japanese House, Kylie Minogue, Ellie Goulding) and mastered by Slowdive’s Simon Scott, ‘b l o o m s’ is a cinematic and stylistic swirl of reverb-drenched guitars, tight drums, grounding bass and cascading fuzz, culminating in a cathartic explosion of sound. Shimmering verses burst into swirling choruses as the siren vocals soar above the atmospherics of the instrumentation.
Speaking on the track, songwriter and guitarist Michael describes ‘b l o o m s’ as “the band redefining our sound while delving to new emotional depths. A sonic exploration of tension and release, accented by reverse delays and glide guitar. Lyrically, it’s explores themes of reflection and self-confidence..”
Virgins have rapidly become one of Ireland’s most promising alternative acts. Their 2022 EP ‘Transmit a Little Heaven’ sold out its vinyl pressing, and their debut album ‘Nothing Hurt and Everything Was Beautiful’ garnered praise across major press and radio, solidifying the band as ones to watch. The band’s dynamic live performances have cemented their reputation, with sold-out headline shows at GazeFest, appearances at Stendhal Festival and Other Voices Wales, as well as UK and Irish tours supporting artists including Bleach Lab, BDRMM, New Pagans, Sign Crushes Motorist.
Receiving support across radio and editorial playlists, Virgins have been championed by BBC Across The Line, BBC Radio Foyle, RTE 2XM, Radio Nova, and Amazing Radio, as well as inclusion in numerous tastemaker playlists from Nialler9, Hot Press, Golden Plec, The Last Mixed Tape, XSNoize and Chordblossom. The album was shortlisted for the NI Music Prize and featured in multiple Albums of the Year lists from Shoegaze Blog, Static Sounds Club, and Golden Plec.
With an upcoming run of headline shows across Ireland and the UK, Virgins continue to build a reputation as one of the bands at the forefront of modern shoegaze.
Upcoming Live Dates:
April 10th – Belfast, The Empire (Headline/Single Launch)
May 1st – Galway, West x Sound West Blowtorch Records Showcase (Headline)
May 2nd – Limerick, Pharmacia (Headline)
May 3rd – Dublin, Soundhouse (Headline)
May 9th – Dundalk, Spirit Store (Headline)
August 29th – Dublin, GazeFest (supporting Whitelands)
August 20th – Belfast, GazeFest (supporting Whitelands)
Artwork by Michael Smyth
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