Cigarettes After Sex is a band that plays ambient pop music with a dreamy and romantic style. The band was formed in 2008 by Greg Gonzalez, who is the lead singer and songwriter. The band’s name comes from a personal experience of Gonzalez, who had a casual relationship with a girl who smoked after they had sex.
The band’s lyrics are often based on the themes of love, romance, and nostalgia, and are sometimes inspired by movies or books. The band’s music has been described as “elemental, hazy and romantic, but with a noir edge underneath Gonzalez’s androgynous voice” by Christina Cacouris of Noisey.
The noir genre, often referred to as “film noir,” embodies a distinct style characterized by its dark, cynical, and pessimistic elements.
The allure of Cigarettes After Sex’s music transcends beyond mere association with the band’s name, evoking deep emotional resonance akin to the most evocative romantic films. It immerses listeners in a vivid, achingly nostalgic experience, creating intensely visual and transportive emotions.
These distinct and potent qualities have propelled Cigarettes After Sex’s love ballads to captivate audiences across numerous countries, establishing an ardent and devoted fanbase. Following the remarkable online success of “Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby,” Greg Gonzalez, the singer, guitarist, and creative force behind Cigarettes After Sex, sought to expand his worldview onto a grander platform.
Rejecting traditional studio methods, Gonzalez, along with bandmates Randy Miller on bass and Jacob Tomsky on drums, recorded their self-titled debut album within a remarkably brief three-day period at an unassuming pay-by-the-hour rehearsal space in Brooklyn. This compressed intensity and seamless fusion of musical landscape and lyrics consistently captivate listeners, drawing them back repeatedly, creating an indelible musical backdrop for those entwined in the cycles of love.
INFP — 459 – 469 – 479 – 145 – 458 – 478
INFJ — 459 – 145 – 125 – 146 – 469 – 458
ISFP — 469 – 479 – 459 – 269 – 279
ISFJ — 269 – 259 – 126 – 469
The Receptive Seeker
ISFP Tritype® 496 or 946
IF(S) TYPE 4 (HEART)
Enneagram Type 4: Romantic Individualist
Individualist, Artist, Over-Analyzer, Mystic or Melodramatic Elitist
“Apocalypse” by Cigarettes After Sex is a song that presents a hauntingly beautiful narrative, rich in emotive imagery and poignant storytelling.
The lyrics of “Apocalypse” seem to depict a narrative of intense emotional connection, longing, and the sense of impending loss or separation. The song evokes a feeling of being deeply attached to someone and the recognition that this profound bond might not withstand the test of time or circumstance.
Type 4: The song resonates with themes of intense emotions, a sense of impending loss or separation, and a desire for a deeper and profound connection. The lyrics capture intense emotional depth, a longing for a unique and deeply emotional bond, and a fear of the impermanence of that connection.
This emotional intensity and the depth of feeling align closely with the introspective and emotionally rich traits associated with Type 4 individuals.
The opening lines, “You leapt from crumbling bridges / Watching cityscapes turn to dust,” paint a vivid picture of chaos and instability, suggesting a sense of impending doom or disintegration. This imagery sets the tone for the song’s exploration of a profound, yet fragile relationship.
The lyrics evoke a strong sense of longing, a desire for a profound connection, and a yearning for a unique and meaningful bond, which are in line with the emotional depth and rich inner world often attributed to Type 4 personalities.
Throughout the song, there is a juxtaposition of powerful emotions and a realization of the impermanence of the connection. Lines like “Just want to hold you for a little longer now” and “We should always be this close” express a desire for eternal closeness and an attempt to prolong an intimate connection in the face of inevitable separation.
The chorus, with the repetition of “Dreaming of the day when you and I are finally free,” emphasizes a longing for a future where both individuals can escape the constraints that threaten their relationship. This dream of freedom from external pressures signifies a yearning for a world where their love can exist unencumbered.
The song’s ethereal sound, characterized by ambient guitar melodies and dreamy vocals, complements the melancholic narrative. The emotional depth and evocative storytelling in the lyrics capture a sense of longing, emotional intensity, and the acceptance of an impending separation, making “Apocalypse” a deeply moving and introspective piece.
IF(S) Type 9 (Gut)
Enneagram Type 4: Peaceful Mediator
Peacemaker, Mediator, Naturalist, Accommodator or Abdicator
“Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby” is characterized by its dreamy, ethereal sound and evocative lyrics. The song’s lyrics convey a sense of reassurance, comfort, and a promise of protection.
Caring: The lyrics express care, protection, and reassurance to a loved one, which align with the caring and supportive nature of ISFPs.
The opening lines, “Stay with me, my blood, you don’t need to run / Stay with me, my love, you don’t need to run,” create an intimate atmosphere, suggesting a desire for closeness and offering comfort. The repetition of “Stay with me” emphasizes a plea for connection and security.
Private: The song maintains an intimate and personal tone, which resonates with the notion of privacy and personal connection, fitting the theme of the song’s lyrics.
The chorus, with the lines “Nothing’s gonna hurt you, baby / Nothing’s gonna take you from my side,” conveys a strong sense of protection and reassurance. It implies a commitment to shielding the person the singer addresses from harm and ensuring their safety and well-being.
Adaptable and Supportive: The song offers a sense of support and reassurance, embracing the adaptability and supportive nature often associated with ISFPs in their personal relationships
Throughout the song, there’s a soothing quality to the lyrics, creating an atmosphere of safety and comfort. The imagery and sentiments expressed evoke a feeling of unconditional love, security, and a promise to shield a loved one from any harm or pain.
Unassuming and Modest: The song’s tone is gentle, unassuming, and modest in its approach to reassuring and comforting, much like the unpretentious and modest nature often attributed to ISFPs.
The song’s poetic and emotionally resonant lyrics, combined with the band’s atmospheric sound, create a mood that feels both nostalgic and comforting, painting a picture of unwavering protection and love in an ethereal, dreamlike setting.
Creative and Spontaneous: The poetic and imaginative nature of the lyrics, coupled with the dreamy and emotive quality of the song, align with the creative and spontaneous traits associated with ISFPs.
