Cigarettes After Sex

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Cigarettes After Sex
Greg Gonzalez of Cigarettes After Sex performing at Positivus Festival in July 2017
Greg Gonzalez of Cigarettes After Sex performing at Positivus Festival in July 2017
Background information
OriginEl Paso, Texas, U.S.
Genres
Years active2008–present
Labels
Members
Past members
  • Greg Leah
  • Steven Herrada
  • Emily Davis
  • Phillip Tubbs
  • Josh Marcus
Websitewww.cigarettesaftersex.com

Cigarettes After Sex is an American dream pop band formed in El Paso, Texas, in 2008 by Greg Gonzalez. The band is known for its ethereal, limerent, and often dream-like musical style, lyrics often based on the themes of love and romance, as well as Gonzalez's voice, which has been described as androgynous. While marketed as an ambient pop band, Cigarettes After Sex are also considered to be shoegaze, slowcore and indie rock.

The band's debut extended play, I., was released in 2012, with the song "Nothing's Gonna Hurt You Baby" eventually becoming a sleeper hit through commercial licensing. After the release of the standalone single "Affection" in 2015, the band released their self-titled debut studio album in 2017 to positive reviews. The second Cigarettes After Sex studio album, Cry, followed in 2019. A third album, X's, was released in July 2024.

History

2008–2015: Formation and debut EP

Cigarettes After Sex was formed in El Paso, Texas, by Greg Gonzalez in 2008.[8][9][10] According to Gonzalez, the name came to thought after he had a "friendship with certain benefits" with a woman who smoked after they were together.[11]

In 2012, the band recorded their debut EP, I., in a four-story stairway at his alma mater, University of Texas at El Paso, calling the experience "basically an accident; kind of an experiment".[10] The EP's cover art used a photograph by Man Ray, titled "Anatomies", which featured Lee Miller with her head thrown back.[10] In 2015, they later relocated to Brooklyn, New York, where the band's single "Affection" was recorded and released in 2015 along with a cover of REO Speedwagon's "Keep On Loving You".[12][13]

2016–2018: Recognition and self-titled debut album

Around early 2016, years following the release of I., Cigarettes After Sex gained recognition after a fan upload of their song "Nothing's Gonna Hurt You Baby" became popular on YouTube.[14] That same year, the band signed onto Partisan Records, and released their first single under the label, "K.", on November 15.[15]

On March 21, 2017, the band announced their debut studio album, Cigarettes After Sex.[16] On the same day, they released the second single from the album, "Apocalypse".[17] On May 15, they unveiled the album's third single "Each Time You Fall in Love".[18] Their self-titled album was released in its entirety on June 9, 2017, being their first full-length release under Partisan Records.[19][10][20]

2019–2023: Cry

In August 2019 the band announced their second studio album, titled Cry, along with the single "Heavenly". The album was released on October 25, 2019.

The band released the single "You're All I Want" in 2020,[2] and later released a single titled "Pistol", in November 2022.[21]

In July 2023, the band released a pair of singles, "Bubblegum" and "Stop Waiting".[22] In December 2023, the band released a cover of Radiohead's song "Motion Picture Soundtrack".[23]

2024–present: X's

On February 28, 2024, the band announced their third studio album X's.[24] On the same day, they also announced that they would embark on the X's World Tour in support of the album, taking place throughout 2024 and 2025, and released its lead single "Tejano Blue", in which Gonzalez stated was inspired by his years growing up in his hometown.[25] To further the album's promotion, "Dark Vacay" was released on April 16, 2024, as the album's second single,[26] with "Baby Blue Movie" following it on June 4, 2024.[27] X's was released on July 12, 2024, to favorable reception.[28]

On October 21, 2025, the band released another single, an original song titled "Anna Karenina" which was named after the novel and a cover of The Doors' song "The Crystal Ship".[29] On April 12, 2026, Gonzalez was as a special guest for Karol G's headlining set at Coachella 2026, joining her onstage where they performed a new track, "Después de Ti",[30] which later saw an official release on streaming platforms on April 23.[31] On May 19, 2026, the band released the single "Twizzler".[32]

Musical style and influences

In a feature for Noisey by Vice, Christina Cacouris describes Cigarettes After Sex as "elemental, hazy and romantic, but with a noir edge underneath Gonzalez's androgynous voice" as well as "sweet and sentimental".[10] "As the band's name suggests, it's reminiscent of lying in bed, but its ambient qualities don't prevent it from being music you can dance to."[10] Gonzalez cites Françoise Hardy as his favorite singer and Miles Davis as having great impact.[10] In an interview with Sound of Boston, he also noted films such as L'Avventura and The Double Life of Veronique were influential to the feel and sound of the music in "Affection" and their LP.[33] The band also includes the Cowboy Junkies' album The Trinity Session, Julee Cruise, and Cocteau Twins as influences.[9][34] The music blog Eardrums Music describes the band as "slow, dreamy and beautiful with gorgeous, tender vocals and very good lyrics" and compares it to Mazzy Star.[34] Music bloggers behind Swell Tone describe Cigarettes After Sex as a band producing "melancholy, slow pop that will sweetly rock any listener into a listless stupor."[35]

Reviewing "Affection" for Independentmusicnews.com, Jae Pyl concludes that "there's just such an intimacy to Cigarettes After Sex's sound that it's impossible to not let it into the pit of your belly."[13]

Members

Since inception in 2008, the group has included a number of different members and collaborators led by Greg Gonzalez:[12]

Current members

  • Greg Gonzalez – vocals, guitar
  • Randall Miller – bass
  • Jacob Tomsky – drums

Former members

  • Josh Marcus - keyboards
  • Phillip Tubbs – keyboards, electric guitar
  • Greg Leah – visual
  • Steve Herrada – keyboards
  • Emily Davis – acoustic guitar

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[36]		 AUS
[37]		 AUT
[38]		 BEL
[39]		 FRA
[40]		 GER
[41]		 NLD
[42]		 POR
[43]		 SWI
[44]		 UK
[45]
Cigarettes After Sex 11281185423853212127
Cry
  • Released: October 25, 2019[50]
  • Label: Partisan
  • Formats: LP, CD, cassette, digital download, streaming
 1526126827293711936
X's
  • Released: July 12, 2024[25]
  • Label: Partisan
  • Formats: LP, CD, cassette, digital download, streaming
 323298247671012

Extended plays

List of EPs, with selected chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
UK
Sales
[51]
I.
  • Released: July 21, 2012[52]
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: LP, CD, cassette, digital download
 2

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album or EP
US
Bub.
[53]		 BEL
[39]		 CAN
[54]		 FRA
[55]		 GRE
Intl.
[56]		 LTU
[57]		 POR
[43]		 SWE
Heat.
[58]		 UK
Indie
[59]		 WW
[60]
"Affection"[61] 2015 —————————— Non-album single
"K."[62] 2016 ——[A]——85————— Cigarettes After Sex
"Apocalypse"[64] 2017 1685838721271851025129
"Each Time You Fall in Love"[67] ——————————
"Sweet"[68] ——————————
"Crush"[69] 2018 —86———————— Non-album singles
"Neon Moon"[70] ——[B]————————
"Heavenly"[71] 2019 —64—57—————— Cry
"Falling in Love"[72] ——[C]————————
"You're All I Want"[73] 2020 ——[D]———————— Non-album singles
"Pistol"[74] 2022 ——————————
"Bubblegum"[75] 2023 ——————————
"Motion Picture Soundtrack"[76] ——————————
"Tejano Blue"[77] 2024 —————————— X's
"Dark Vacay"[78] ——————————
"Baby Blue Movie"[79] ——————————
"Anna Karenina"[80] 2025 —————————— Non-album singles
"Twizzler"[81] 2026 ——————————
"—" denotes a release that did not chart or was not issued in that region.

Other charted and certified songs

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
GRE
Intl.
[56]		 NZ
Hot
[82]
"Nothing's Gonna Hurt You Baby" 2012 — — I.
"Sunsetz" 2017 68 — Cigarettes After Sex
"Cry" 2019 84 — Cry
"X's" 2024 — 32 X's
"—" denotes a release that did not chart or was not issued in that region.

Demos

  • I Can See You (2009)
  • Cigarettes After Sex (Romans 13:9) (2011)

Notes

  1. "K." did not register on the Ultratop 50 Singles chart, but charted as an "extra tip" on the Ultratip chart.[39]
  2. "Neon Moon" did not register on the Ultratop 50 Singles chart, but charted as an "extra tip" on the Ultratip chart.[39]
  3. "Falling in Love" did not register on the Ultratop 50 Singles chart, but charted as an "extra tip" on the Ultratip chart.[39]
  4. "You're All I Want" did not register on the Ultratop 50 Singles chart, but charted as an "extra tip" on the Ultratip chart.[39]

References

  1. Cook, Cameron (June 8, 2017). "Cigarettes After Sex: Cigarettes After Sex". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  2. Gallagher, Ali (May 26, 2020). "Cigarettes After Sex share new single 'You're All I Want'". NME. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  3. Sisario, Ben (July 11, 2024). "Cigarettes After Sex and Gen Z's Passion for Dream-Pop". The New York Times. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  4. BrushedRed (March 21, 2017). "New Cigarettes After Sex Album". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  5. Lathan, Ryan (June 21, 2017). "Cigarettes After Sex: Cigarettes After Sex". PopMatters. Archived from the original on July 4, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  6. Hadi, Eddino Abdul (June 14, 2017). "The slow burn of Cigarettes After Sex's debut album". The Straits Times. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  7. Hall, Michael James (January 8, 2020). "Cigarettes After Sex: Cry". Under the Radar. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  8. Simpson, Dave (April 19, 2017). "Cigarettes After Sex review – breathtaking ambient-pop enigmas". The Guardian. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  9. "Cigarettes After Sex - Tickets - The Echo - Los Angeles, California - April 27th, 2016". The Echo and Echoplex. Archived from the original on June 16, 2017. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  10. "The Diehard Romanticism of Cigarettes After Sex". NOISEY. February 17, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  11. ""Our songs talk about sex and love", Vogue.fr interviews Cigarettes After Sex". November 7, 2017.
  12. "Records". Cigarettes After Sex. Archived from the original on April 19, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  13. "Review / Cigarettes After Sex / Affection". Independent Music News. Archived from the original on July 11, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  14. Bennett, Kim Taylor (July 31, 2017). "Cigarettes After Sex Is an Overnight Internet Sensation, Eight Years in the Making". Vice. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  15. DeVille, Chris. "Cigarettes After Sex – 'K.'". Stereogum. Archived from the original on November 16, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  16. Goodman, Jessica (March 21, 2017). "Cigarettes After Sex announce debut album and share lead single 'Apocalypse'". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  17. McNett, Jared (March 21, 2017). "Listen to Cigarettes After Sex's 'Apocalypse' Off of Their Self-Titled Debut Album". Paste. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  18. Tom, Lauren (May 15, 2017). "Cigarettes After Sex Debuts Dream-Like Single 'Each Time You Fall in Love,' Talks New Album: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  19. "Cigarettes After Sex". Cigarettes After Sex.
  20. "Cigarettes After Sex - 10 New Artists You Need to Know: January 2016". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  21. DeVille, Chris (November 15, 2022). "Cigarettes After Sex Share New Song 'Pistol': Listen". Stereogum. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  22. Breihan, Tom (July 18, 2023). "Cigarettes After Sex – "Bubblegum" & "Stop Waiting"". Stereogum. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  23. Rettig, James (December 12, 2023). "Cigarettes After Sex Cover Radiohead's "Motion Picture Soundtrack": Listen". Stereogum. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  24. Grimes, Navier (February 28, 2024). "Cigarettes After Sex Announce World Arena Tour + New LP, Share "Tejano Blue" Single". Live Nation Entertainment. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  25. DeVille, Chris (February 28, 2024). "Cigarettes After Sex Announce New Album 'X's': Hear "Tejano Blue"". Stereogum. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  26. Rettig, James (April 16, 2024). "Cigarettes After Sex – "Dark Vacay"". Stereogum. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  27. Kelly, Tyler Damara (June 4, 2024). "Cigarettes After Sex unveils new single, "Baby Blue Movie"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  28. Saulog, Gabriel (July 12, 2024). "Cigarettes After Sex Aren't Over X's On New Album – Listen". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  29. "Cigarettes After Sex shares double single, "Anna Karenina" and "The Crystal Ship"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  30. Exposito, Suzy (April 13, 2026). "Karol G, first Latina to headline Coachella, urged Latino fans: 'Don't feel fear, feel pride!'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  31. González, Daniela (April 23, 2026). "Letra y video oficial de 'Después de ti' la nueva canción de Karol G" [Lyrics and official video for 'Después de ti', the new song by Karol G]. Los 40 (in Spanish). Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  32. Sandiford, Kayla (May 19, 2026). "Cigarettes After Sex return with new single, 'Twizzler'". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  33. Bedian, Knar (January 25, 2017). "Interview: Cigarettes After Sex". Sound of Boston. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  34. "New Music: Cigarettes After Sex – "Affection"". Eardrumsmusic.com. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  35. "Tune: Cigarettes After Sex – "Affection"". Swell Tone. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  36. Peak chart positions in the United States:
  37. Peak chart positions in Australia:
  38. "Cigarettes After Sex chart history". AustrianCharts.at. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  39. "Discografie Cigarettes After Sex". ultratop.be (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  40. "Discographie Cigarettes After Sex". lescharts.com (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  41. "Discographie von Cigarettes After Sex" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  42. "Discografie Cigarettes After Sex". dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  43. "Discography Cigarettes After Sex". portuguesecharts.com. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  44. "Cigarettes After Sex Hitparade". Hit Parade. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  45. "Cigarettes After Sex full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  46. "Cigarettes After Sex by Cigarettes After Sex on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  47. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  48. "British certifications – Cigarettes After Sex". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 30, 2025. Type Cigarettes After Sex in the "Search:" field.
  49. "French certifications – Cigarettes After Sex" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  50. "Cigarettes After Sex by Cigarettes After Sex". Apple Music. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  51. "Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100 - 10 February 2017 - 16 February 2017". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  52. "I - EP by Cigarettes After Sex on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  53. "Bubbling Under Hot 100: Week of October 15, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  54. "Canadian Hot 100: Week of October 22, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  56. Peaks on the Greek international singles chart:
  57. "2022 41-os savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  58. "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 42, 2024". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  59. Peak chart positions on UK Independent Singles chart:
  60. "Billboard Global 200: Week of November 23, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  61. "Affection – Single by Cigarettes After Sex". Apple Music. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  62. "K. – Single by Cigarettes After Sex". Apple Music. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  63. "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 44/2024" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on November 6, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2025. Note: See Award column for certification.
  64. "Apocalypse – Single by Cigarettes After Sex". Apple Music. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  65. "Portuguese certifications – Apocalypse" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  66. "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 48/2025" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on December 3, 2025. Retrieved December 3, 2025. Note: See Award column for certification.
  67. "Each Time You Fall In Love – Single by Cigarettes After Sex". Apple Music. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  68. "Sweet – Single by Cigarettes After Sex". Apple Music. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  69. "Crush – Single by Cigarettes After Sex". Apple Music. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  70. "Neon Moon – Single by Cigarettes After Sex". Apple Music. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  71. "Heavenly (2019) | Cigarettes After Sex". 7digital. United States. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  72. "Falling In Love (2019) | Cigarettes After Sex". 7digital. United States. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  73. "You're All I Want – Single by Cigarettes After Sex". Apple Music. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  74. "Pistol – Single by Cigarettes After Sex". Apple Music. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  75. "Bubblegum – Single by Cigarettes After Sex". Apple Music. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  76. "Motion Picture Soundtrack – Single by Cigarettes After Sex". Apple Music. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  77. "Tejano Blue – Single by Cigarettes After Sex". Apple Music. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  78. Dark Vacay by Cigarettes After Sex on Apple Music, retrieved April 16, 2024
  79. Baby Blue Movie, June 4, 2024, retrieved June 4, 2024
  80. "Anna Karenina – Single by Cigarettes After Sex". Apple Music. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  81. "Twizzler – Single by Cigarettes After Sex". Apple Music. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  82. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  83. "Cigarettes After Sex "Sunsetz"". IFPI Danmark. November 5, 2025. Retrieved November 15, 2025.