W: William Hill I: Yulissa Benitez
Glixen isn’t just playing shoegaze; they’re conducting a masterclass in atmospheric tension. Their latest single, “Unwind,” is a shimmering, reverb-soaked evolution that proves the Phoenix quartet is no longer just rising—they’ve arrived.
Their latest single, “Unwind,” is a shimmering, reverb-soaked evolution that proves the Phoenix quartet is no longer just rising—they’ve arrived. Produced by Sonny Diperri in Los Angeles, the track trades immediate hooks for a slow-burn immersion, marking a sophisticated step forward for a band already cemented in the modern vanguard of the genre.
The song is built on a foundation of deliberate pacing, where riffs don't just play; they bloom and dissolve like ink in water. By incorporating new instrumental elements, Glixen achieves a "weightless" sense of motion, replacing traditional structures with swelling textures and a quiet tension that crawls around the listener. It is a sonic landscape that feels both immersive and elusive, drifting just out of reach while drawing you deeper into its distortion-heavy undercurrent.
At its heart, “Unwind” explores the intoxicating "push and pull" of human connection. Bandleader Aislinn Ritchie describes the track as an exploration of the relief found when someone returns after leaving—a feeling she likens to a drug weaned off. This theme of "willful ignorance" is mirrored perfectly in the music; the syrupy, tender vocals swim beneath a wall of sound, effectively simulating the feeling of being overwhelmed by a craving that is blindingly hard to refuse.
Following the success of the Quiet Pleasures EP and the raw energy of "Medicine Bow," this single marks a pivotal shift toward a sound that is increasingly raw, vulnerable, and cerebral. As Glixen continues a heavy year of touring following their appearance at the Something In The Way Festival, "Unwind" serves as a hauntingly beautiful glimpse into their evolution. They are no longer just following the shoegaze blueprint; they are rewriting it with every reverb-drenched note.