Belfast Shoegaze Risers Virgins Return With Haunting New Single

Following the critical acclaim of their debut album Nothing Hurt and Everything Was Beautiful, Belfast-based shoegaze outfit Virgins have emerged from the mist with a bold new single, ‘blooms’, released April 3rd via Blowtorch Records. A heady swirl of dense textures, driving rhythms, and emotional undercurrents, the track signals a powerful evolution for a band already making seismic waves in Ireland’s alt scene.

Where their earlier work shimmered with the dreamlike haze characteristic of the genre, ‘blooms’ pushes the envelope—deeper, darker, and more dynamic. Produced by Simon Francis (The Japanese House, Kylie Minogue, Ellie Goulding) and mastered by Slowdive’s Simon Scott, the single is both a tribute to shoegaze’s ethereal roots and a step toward its revitalised future.

A cinematic wall of sound builds throughout the track—reverb-soaked guitars weave through tight, propulsive drums and a grounding, pulsing bassline. Then, as if caught in a whirlpool of light and shadow, the chorus opens into a euphoric release. The vocals, haunting and siren-like, hover just above the maelstrom, untethered yet intimately human.

Speaking about the single, guitarist and songwriter Michael describes blooms as “the band redefining our sound while delving to new emotional depths. A sonic exploration of tension and release, accented by reverse delays and glide guitar. Lyrically, it explores themes of reflection and self-confidence.”

It’s this emotional duality—moments of inner turbulence set against soaring, almost transcendent instrumentals—that gives blooms its distinctive power. It’s both personal and panoramic, grounding and otherworldly.

Since bursting onto the scene with their 2022 EP Transmit a Little Heaven, which sold out its vinyl pressing, Virgins have been quietly but confidently building momentum. Their debut album earned widespread praise from critics and tastemakers alike, positioning them as one of Ireland’s most exciting new voices in alternative music.

Their reputation hasn’t just been forged in the studio. The band’s live show has become a rite of passage for fans of the genre—an immersive, almost spiritual experience. Sold-out headline sets at GazeFest, acclaimed appearances at Stendhal Festival and Other Voices Wales, and UK and Irish tour slots supporting the likes of Bleach Lab, BDRMM, and New Pagans have cemented their status as a must-see act.

If their new single 'blooms' is any indication, Virgins are about to BLOOM.