A dynamic and uncompromising deluge of dark, dreamy shoegaze, Douglas’ solo debut single “Cigarettes” is a visceral upheaval making for a lasting introduction.
for fans of U2, Blur, The Cure, Slowdive
Stream: “Cigarettes” – Douglas
A vivid and visceral upheaval, Douglas’ solo debut is an immersive emotional and sonic overhaul. A dynamic and uncompromising deluge of dark, dreamy shoegaze, “Cigarettes” makes for a powerful, lasting introduction to an exciting new artistry sitting on a new world of sound.
Falling into our same old ways
Sitting around as days go by
Waiting for something else
The clothes have a smell of cigarettes
The scent lingers on as I try to forget
You don’t even want to hide it
The sound of your keys as they hit the floor
The shadow of a man left at my door
Just another insult baby
Maybe I tried too hard
Maybe I didn’t try hard enough
Where did our love go
Atwood Magazine is proud to be premiering “Cigarettes,” the lead single off Douglas’ forthcoming debut album Ashes (out everywhere April 2, 2021 via Gentle Beast Productions). Known for having previously contributed background vocals to M83’s single, “Steve McQueen” and performing alongside Mariqueen Maandig Reznor in LA band West Indian Girl, Amy Douglas White is an LA by-way-of Madrid creative spirit with her own intricate history on the West Coast.
A song that recalls the phrase “drowned in sound,” “Cigarettes” is a fervently immersive outpouring. Drenched in heavy swathes of reverb that recall late ’80s and ’90s records like U2’s Achtung Baby, Douglas makes her proper introduction a dark and intimate moment of personal exploration and intimate reckoning.
And every time I wish you’d see me
No matter what you say it’s not me
Blinded by the look in your eyes
And every time I wish you’d see me
No matter what you say it’s not me
Blinded by the look in your eyes
Just another insult, baby
And I don’t want to hear your lies
You’re lying about your lies
I don’t want to hear your lies
“’Cigarettes’ is a stormy techno-pop banger, anchored by a pulsing Moog Prodigy synth refrain and an empowering chorus; the song depicts a woman grappling with a crumbling relationship and finally realizing that her happiness lies in her freedom,” Douglas tells Atwood Magazine. “It features a dreamy shoegaze guitar riff created by Jonathan Bates (Big Black Delta), a driving bass by Justin Meldal-Johnsen (Nine Inch Nails, Beck) and drums by Kris Persson.”
Describing her forthcoming debut album Ashes as exuding “this sense of feeling caught between worlds – of music buzzing with complexity and cultural fluidity,” Douglas is unapologetically intense and uncompromisingly present in her music. She dives deep into herself, and as her soaring vocals falls gently upon her music’s restless world, one feels not only a contrast of sounds, but also the inherent turbulence and turmoil within art and artist alike.
And every time you say you love me
And every time you say you’re sorry
I only want to say good bye
And every time I wish you’d see me
No matter what you say it’s not me
Blinded by the look in your eyes
And every time you say you love me
And every time you say you’re sorry
I only want to say good bye
I only want to say good bye
I only want to say good bye
Having worked in the music industry for over fifteen years, White’s solo foray is a long time coming. Who knows how much energy she exhausted bringing these songs into existence, but ultimately it pales in comparison to the energy her songs now carry within them. “Cigarettes” is an enviable debut: Its fervors and honesty lyricism set a high bar for Douglas, whom we cannot wait to hear more from in the coming months.
Douglas’ debut album Ashes is out this April. Get lost in the vast, cinematic shoegaze of “Cigarettes” exclusively on Atwood Magazine!
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Stream: “Cigarettes” – Douglas
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