Following on from the highly successful release of ‘Clementine’ in March, the band return with new single ‘Auralux’. The title track from their much anticipated debut mini-album, released 7 May. Silk is the new project from Michael Smyth, songwriter/guitarist of the acclaimed but now defunct band Virgins. Michael is the sole contributor to the project, taking on responsibilities for all the songwriting, performance and recording, which gives the project intense personal meaning for Michael. Michael says, ‘There is no beauty in perfection, it feels fake and manufactured to me. I want the record to feel real, so this is the sound of visceral self-expression.’ Building on the success of 2025 which saw the release of three well received singles and Irish tours, including festival appearances at GazeFest supporting Whitelands and Sweet Sweet Noise. New single ‘Auralux’ opens with choirs of shimmering guitars then quickly gives way to a tsunami of fuzz, setting the tone for the remainder of the record. Lyrically the song cuts across themes of loss and acceptance, catharsis via volume and reverb.
As ‘Auralux’ begins we’re met with a choir of shimmering guitars, multiple layers built upon each other all contribute to the enveloping bliss. This doesn’t last long as the banks burst and we are hit with walls of fuzz and huge drums, rapturous and visceral. Verses are a call and response between vocals and guitar, as Michael sings ‘keep me out of heaven / its just another place’. The chorus becomes an exercise in maximalism, fuzzes are stacked on fuzzes, dreamy leads punctuate the vocals that in true shoegaze style sit two floors below the mix, awash with ethereal reverbs that help them become part of the nebulous dream we find ourselves in. Lyrically the song cuts across themes of loss and acceptance.
Speaking of the song and wider album Michael says, ‘There is no beauty in perfection, it feels fake and manufactured to me. I want the record to feel real, so this is the sound of visceral self-expression, of cooking valves, speakers pushing air and real drums straining under every hit.’ When the band play live Michael is joined by Cameron Leggat(guitar) and Shane McMullan (bass) who also play in Broncos with Michael, as well as ex-Virgins drummer Matthew McMullan.
Recording was done by Michael in the band’s practice space, giving him time and opportunity to add layers of guitars and build the tsunami of fuzz and euphoric guitars on the track. Mixed by AJ Das of Dublin emo-gazers Picture Postcard, Michael turned to AJ to mix given their shared love and understanding of the sound he was hoping to capture. The track was mastered by Dan Coutant of Sunroom Mastering.
You can catch the band live here:
April 10th Belfast, Oh Yeah Centre, supporting Nothing
April 17th Portrush, Kellys
May 14th Galway, The Ol’ 55
May 15th Cork, Fred Zeppelins
May 16th Waterford, GOMA
May 28th Dublin, Whelans Upstairs
May 30th Belfast, Ulster Sports Club
June 16th Glasgow, Hug and Pint
June 17th Hull, The New Adelphi
June 18th Northampton, The Lab
June 19th Brighton, Folklore Rooms
June 20th London, Folklore Rooms
June 21st Edinburgh, Banshee Labyrinth
Aug 28th Dublin, GazeFest
Aug 29th Belfast, GazeFest