Glixen pulls us into their sultry, slow crush dream in “all tied up”

Finding inspiration from shoegaze greats like My Bloody Valentine, the industrial metal act of Godflesh, and other icons from Björk to t.A.T.u, Phoenix-based four-piece Glixen pulls sound from a web of established acts while infusing it with a je ne sais quoi of their own.

The group released a popular new single “lick the star” at the end of last year in anticipation of their upcoming EP. Produced by producer Sonny DiPerri (My Bloody Valentine), quiet pleasures will be out on February 21st, with Glixen embarking on their first ever headlining US tour that same night. Ahead of the release, Glixen is teasing us again with “all tied up”, another new single.

Gritty guitars and drums drench singer Aislinn Ritchie’s ethereal vocals in an atmospheric haze. A slow compression of heavy melancholia and amorous dreams, Ritchie said, are all by design. “‘all tied up’ is about feeling completely consumed by someone. We definitely wanted the song to feel enveloping,” she said. “There’s a subtle tension that builds throughout with a push and pull between the guitars and vocals. The song hits hard with its emotional depth, yet breathes with a playful melody.”

Ritchie started Glixen in 2020, bringing on guitarist Esteban Santana, drummer Keire Johnson, and bassist Sonia Garcia. Since then, the group has supported rock greats from the likes of Interpol to DIIV, worked with producers like Jack Endino of Nirvana, and released a slew of singles deluded with sounds of dreamy backroom DIY rock. Glixen is swiftly climbing the ladder thanks to their uniquely abrasive shoegaze sound.

“all tied up” is a compelling slow burn in a world of dark fantasy, and features some of the best shoegaze and grunge sounds of this era. Until the release of Glixen’s quiet pleasures, I will be itching for more of exactly this.