It’s not really supposed to happen this way. By the time the third single from a forthcoming album drops, you can often expect an attendant drop in quality. This is not that, in fact, far from it.
We, like the rest of the shoegaze-loving world, have been waiting for the February 18th release of Blushing’s Possessions LP on Kanine Records. The first two singles were understandably a cut above, reaching further into the stardust than before, with the able assistance of Miki Berenyi (Lush, Piroshka), Mark Gardener (Ride), Elliott Frazier (Ringo Deathstarr). But, as a fan, it’s always risky to pin your hopes on a “third single” from an album, any album… if it was really that good, why did it end up at the arse-end of the release calendar?
While the full album is mastered by Mark Gardener, this is the only track on the record also mixed by him. And there’s a mastery immediately evident here, as Blushing unleash “The Fires”. As a listener, you’re immediately hit with a darkly churning twin guitar assault, shaped and led by Noe Carmona. Mark Gardener deftly balances Noe and Michelle Soto’s quiet guitar storm, and gently overlays and balances Christina’s lead vocals against the dark churn. There is no weak link on this track… drummer Jacob Soto provides rock-steady backbone with a few surprises thrown in for good measure. Christina’s bassline is deceptively simple, yet dunks you underwater a time or three, just to keep you guessing. By the time of euphoric sonic release halfway through, you wonder how you got so hypnotized by this sound. Masterful. Could have been the first single from Possessions, nobody would have discounted it.
Yes, Blushing has spent some time trying to find and perfect their voice. At this stage, on this album, with these three initial singles, this team really has nothing left to prove. To anyone. Long may they reign.
Possessions is released 18 February on Kanine Records. Keep track of the band via their website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bandcamp, and their YouTube channel. Gods willing, catch them on their West Coast tour this April!
4-16 Austin TX – Hotel Vegas
4-18 Ft. Worth TX – Main At Southside
4-19 Kansas City, MO – MiniBar
4-20 Denver, CO – TBA
4-21 Salt Lake City, UT – The DLC
4-22 Seattle, WA – Seagaze Festival
4-23 Portland, OR – TBA
4-24 San Francisco, CA – The Knockout
4-25 Los Angeles, CA – TBA
4-26 San Diego, CA – TBA
4-27 Phoenix, AZ – Linger Lounge
4-28 El Paso, TX – Love Buzz
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