Night Is Darker,
Keys Are Turning,
Disguises Falling,
Armor
Amid the cacophony of today’s world, Magic Wands emerges like a whisper in the wind; a spellbinding blend of sound that feels both familiar and foreign. This duo, Chris and Dexy Valentine, began their journey in Nashville’s storied streets before finding their pulse beneath Los Angeles’ electric skies. Since 2008, they’ve been conjuring music that hums with dark allure, each note steeped in mystique.
Their sound shimmers with an uncanny fusion of gothic post-punk grit and dreamlike elegance. Textured guitars ripple like waves, droning synths murmur beneath, and ethereal vocals hover just out of reach like an echo lost in twilight. Chris and Dexy bend the rules by blending the spectral with the substantial, creating music that feels like a space between worlds—an enchanting soundscape that beckons listeners into a dark post-punk realm adorned with gothic romance.
In “Armour,” the melody flows like a restless river, traversing themes of transformation and vulnerability. Each verse dances with the rhythms of nature’s cycles: rivers surge, blossoms bloom and wither, and the seasons unfurl and retract, reflecting the intricate ebb and flow of human emotion. The song emerges as both a protective shield and a heartfelt confession, with its haunting refrain of “armour” capturing the delicate balance between the need for self-preservation and the bravery required to dismantle one’s defenses.
The music conjures the brooding brilliance of Clan of Xymox and the haunting essence of goth and post-punk from the 4AD era, while also channeling the electric urgency of Siouxsie and the Banshees during their Hyaena-era. It marries dreamy introspection with the lush, atmospheric textures reminiscent of Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, and This Mortal Coil. Each textured layer weaves it’s own moody gauze, oscillating between strength and fragility, where every chord resonates with a delicate clash between resistance and release.
“It’s a reflection on the paradox of the human condition, the need for protection and an equally strong desire for freedom,” explains Dexy Valentine. “It explores those two forces and looks to find a balance between shielding oneself and embracing vulnerability.”
Swirling in midnight dancebeats and guitar textures, Armour finds the band expanding their sound from its darkpop foundation into its more fully realized embodiment. “Last year, we released a new album called Switch, which was a departure from our previous sound and style,” says Dexy. “It was less pop, more experimental and introspective. The new music we’re writing is in the same direction, but a bit more minimal and uptempo.”
Listen to “Armour” below:
The band’s spellbinding performances have also seen them share the stage with an impressive roster of iconic bands and artists. They’ve rocked out alongside giants like Radiohead, Slowdive, The Jesus & Mary Chain, The Breeders, The Horrors, Dinosaur Jr, The Wombats, Deerhunter, Mac DeMarco, The Kills, The Black Keys, Sebadoh, Ty Segall, and The Raconteurs. Moreover, they’ve enchanted audiences at esteemed music festivals such as Lollapalooza, SXSW, Noise Pop Festival, Culture Collide, Desert Stars Festival, Levitation Festival Austin, and Echo Park Rising. Their music’s universal appeal was further underlined by their headline tours across the UK and Europe in 2017 and 2018, including the Great Escape Festival.
Listen to Armour below and order the single here.
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