A somber, lonesome feeling drifts in with the year’s first few cold fronts. It seems as though the dreary atmosphere carries a perplexing desire to seek a source of comfort. This year, Cigarettes After Sex emerged right in time, delivering misty, impassioned sounds in their most refined release yet. The cathartic dream-pop band debuted their second full-length album, Cry, on Oct. 25, delivering misty, impassioned sounds in their most refined release yet.

Story by Taylor Sprinkle

After teasing their album with the release of emotional singles “Heavenly” and “Falling in Love” earlier this fall, it was clear the new album was named appropriately; Getting past just the first few songs without a tear proves difficult. The charged nature of the new nine-track album is exactly what one can expect from Cigarettes After Sex. The band sticks to the same dreamy rifts and smooth, honeyed vocals of popular past releases, like “Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby” and “Apocalypse.”

Thematically, Cigarettes After Sex also hasn’t drifted far since their 2008 debut. The lyrics stick to tropes of romance and sexual desire. But that doesn’t mean the band hasn’t evolved. Careful listeners can catch a deeper sense of maturity, both in the writing of the music and the lyrics, that wasn’t present in the past album.

“Don’t Let Me Go” sets the tone at the start of Cry with a mesmerizing bass that amplifies evocative lyrics like “no one else could have the love we shared.” As the album progresses, gripping tracks “Kiss It Off Me” and “You’re the Only Good Thing In My Life” use striking imagery to build a story. The slow pace of songs “Cry” and “Pure” build drama at the album’s close. It’s a whirlwind of emotions that rings with anyone falling in love, as well as anyone who has just fallen out. It’s an album for slow dancing, gentle kissing and, of course, crying.

As the weather continues to grow colder, Cigarettes After Sex is headed into their European tour, where fans can experience the band’s romantic, nostalgic sounds live. As for those who can’t make a trip out to London, at least you can settle for Spotify.