Glixen’s sophomore EP, Quiet Pleasures, is out now through AWAL and Wichita Recordings. Across five tracks, the Phoenix-based shoegaze outfit refines their sound with a heavier, more intense approach, layering fuzzed-out guitars over Aislinn Ritchie’s ethereal vocals. The EP was produced by Sonny DiPerri (DIIV, My Bloody Valentine) and mastered by Dave Cooley (Paramore, Rancid) at Pale Moon Ranch in Juniper Hills, CA.
“Quiet Pleasures explores change, desire, devotion, sensuality, and lovingness,” Ritchie explains. “We used layers of fuzzed-out and gritty guitars to introduce a darker, more intense iteration of Glixen while still capturing the fluttery charm of shoegaze.”
The EP builds on the band’s previous releases, including singles “lick the star,” “lust,” “foreversoon,” and “sick silent,” which previewed their evolving sound—dreamlike yet grounded in distortion. The last single to drop before the full release, “all tied up,” exemplifies this shift, with crashing guitars swirling around Ritchie’s pleading vocals, anchored by pounding drums.
Glixen’s trajectory over the past year has positioned them as a force within the modern shoegaze resurgence. Their blend of heavy, distortion-drenched soundscapes and melodic sensibilities recalls influences like Björk, My Bloody Valentine, Godflesh, t.A.T.u., and Hum, yet carves out something distinctly their own.
Ritchie founded the band in 2020, bringing in guitarist Esteban Santana, drummer Keire Johnson, and bassist Sonia Garcia. Their early releases, including the She Only Said EP via Philly tape label Julia’s War Records, caught the attention of the DIY scene and set the stage for their expanding reach. Working with producers like Jack Endino (Nirvana) and Sonny DiPerri, they continue to refine their sound while maintaining an unpredictable edge.
With Quiet Pleasures, Glixen fully embraces their evolving identity, pushing the boundaries of shoegaze’s revival with intensity and precision.
Glixen has had a busy year, playing SXSW and Treefort Festival, and supporting Interpol, DIIV, Nothing, Tanukichan, Turnover, Glare, Glitterer, Softcult, and Fish Narc. The momentum continues with their first-ever headlining North American tour, bringing along contemporaries She’s Green and Suzy Clue. They’re also set to appear at Coachella, Noise Pop Festival, and Freakout Weekender.
FEBRUARY
21 – Backstage Bar – Las Vegas, NV
22 – The Great Room – Fresno, CA
23 – Starlet Room – Sacramento, CA
25 – Noise Pop Festival – San Francisco, CA
27 – Polaris Hall – Portland, OR #
28 – The Shakedown – Bellingham, WA #
MARCH
1 – Freakout Weekender – Seattle, WA #
2 – Neurolux – Boise, ID #
3 – Kilby Court – Salt Lake City, UT #
5 – Hi-Dive – Denver, CO #
7 – 7th St.Entry – Minneapolis, MN #
8 – Howdy – Kansas City, MO #
9 – Schubas – Chicago, IL %#
10 – Lager House – Detroit, MI %#
11 – Bottlerocket Social Hall – Pittsburgh, PA %
13 – Monarch Tavern – Toronto, ON %#
14 – Cabaret Foufounes – Montreal, QC %#
15 – Baby’s All Right – Brooklyn, NY %#
16 – PhilaMOCA – Philadelphia, PA %#
17 – DC9 – Washington, DC %#
18 – The Pinhook – Durham, NC %#
20 – DRKMTTR – Nashville, TN %#
21 – The Masquerade – Altar – Atlanta, GA %#
22 – LCY Media – Birmingham, AL %#
24 – Club Dada – Dallas, TX %#
25 – The Ballroom – Austin, TX %#
26 – White Oak Music Hall – Houston, TX %#
28 – Sister Bar – Albuquerque, NM #
29 – Club Congress – Tucson, AZ #
APRIL
4 – Tarros Chicali – Yuma, AZ
5 – Crescent Ballroom – Phoenix, AZ #
10 – Fox Theater – Pomona, CA*
11 – Coachella – Indio, CA †
18 – Coachella – Indio, CA †
# – w/She’s Green
% – w/ Suzy Clue
* – w/ Jimmy Eat World
† Festival Appearance
