Rising indie outfit Glixen from Phoenix, AZ return with their brand new single “Unwind,” that feels like taking a deep breath after a long night out. It’s a track that captures the band leaning confidently into their strengths while stretching their sound in subtle new and satisfying ways.
“Unwind” opens with a wash of gauzy guitars before locking into a steady, head-nodding groove courtesy of guitarist Esteban Santana, bassist Sonia Garcia and drummer Keire Johnson. There’s a sense of space in the production, the kind that lets every shimmer of feedback and every melodic turn land with purpose. Vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Aislinn Ritchie’s voice floats just above the mix, sounding cool and composed. She delivers lines that balance any late-night introspection with a flicker of hope so that it’s dreamy without drifting.
The soft, hazy palette is almost meditative. Nothing feels forced, the song has room to breathe and for all the comparison with the shoegaze titans of My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive or Nothing the quartet find clarity in their own noise.
Glixen have been steadily building buzz through word of mouth and relentless, sweaty live shows since they began in 2020. They seem to be glued to the road as they traverse the globe and it’s provided a foundation for their sound to find its own identity and expand further. “Unwind” feels like another statement of intent as they endeavour to push that progress. It’s confident but not flashy, catchy without chasing trends. Most of all, it sounds like Glixen are completely settled in their skin.
Connect with Glixen: Instagram | Bandcamp