On “b l o o m s,” the Northern Irish band Virgins achieves something special, a shimmering, slow-burn track that doesn’t just ask for attention, it earns it. Fresh on Blowtorch Records and co-produced by the band with Simon Francis, the new song sees the group deepening the already intoxicating blend of shoegaze textures and dreamy pop intimacy that they built their first single on, creating a musical world that’s equal parts immersive and intensely felt.
From its first note, “b l o o m s” feels like a daydream in motion. Guitars swell and evaporate like brushstrokes on a rainy window as reverse delays and gliding notes pull and stretch the edges of reality. There’s a painterly quality to it, not just in the sound design but in the emotional shading, the way tension coils under the surface only to unwind into moments of release that feel euphoric but grounded.
Lyrically, Virgins treads a space that is at once intimate and universal reflection, vulnerability, and, finally, self-confidence. The words are defiant, a feeling of taking a step back to survey your life and doubts and then set out with dignity. It’s personal but not precious, honest but not heavy-handed.
“b l o o m s” stretches the band’s sound into more mature, textured terrain while still retaining, maybe roots is too strong a word. Virgins are re-examining their voice, diving deep into the emotional weight of their craft while never straying from the melodic haze that enticed listeners in the first place. This is shoegaze with teeth, hazy, sure, but never inert. “b l o o m s” is a statement of intent, an evolution that opens new doors without closing off where they’ve come from.
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