Glixen
Quiet Pleasures
AWAL/WICHITA
Founded in 2020 by vocalist/guitarist Aislinn Ritchie, Phoenix’s Glixen has been making waves in the contemporary shoegaze scene at least as far back as their 2023 debut EP, She Only Said. Their latest, Quiet Pleasures, follows suit, embodying the style of iconic shoegaze acts ranging from My Bloody Valentine to Godflesh to Deftones. Compelling yet uneven, the strongest compositions here are also the most experimental cuts working outside of the shoegaze framework, helping to break up the monotony of the genre’s innate repetitiveness.
The otherwise-traditionally shoegaze-y “Sick Silent,” for example, relies on its guitar part’s melodious pulsations and visceral reverb as the track strikes a stunning balance—it feels like waves of sound are gently pummeling you as Ritchie’s lush, floaty vocals soothe you. “Avoid” is another standout, given its unique integration of sludge-rock. This adventurous side of Glixen feels the most exciting, as it goes against the conventional shoegaze style. It feels gloomy yet erotic in a way that brings Chino Moreno to mind, creating a pleasing tension in its lyricism as much as it does in its sound. In moments it even recalls Joy Division, a group which Glixen may well be referencing in the naming of the EP.
Quiet Pleasures may lack the oomph of its influences, but it’s a project where you can hear the band figuring stuff out. Glixen is still young and has all the fundamentals necessary for a great debut full-length. What they lack is a strong identity that differentiates them from their influences and really sets them apart from the current wave of artists exploring similar territory. “Avoid” is a good indicator of what they can do when their influences are melded in a way that brings out their own unique sound, while “Sick Silent” shows their ability to create a catchy pop melody. While much of the rest of the EP can feel droning and monotonous, well, maybe that just comes with exploring the territory.
