The Giraffes – Cigarette – Skylight Webzine

The Giraffes’ Cigarette is a unique and thrilling album that combines post-punk, hard rock, grunge, and psychedelic elements to create a unified but surprising experience. The band’s seven tracks have a mix of heavy-hitting riffs, atmospheric sections, and raw vocals, making this album nostalgic and dynamic.

Baby Pictures – The album begins with an atmospheric and dreamy feel that takes the listener into a hazy, melancholic world. The single creates a tone that contrasts with the heavy songs that follow, providing a sensitive but interesting introduction.

Pipes – A burst of strong, complicated guitar riffs pushes things into full speed, analogous to Fantômas and early Faith No More. The tune has a strong, almost chaotic energy that recalls the excitement of 1990s alternative metal and experimental rock.

Limping Horse – With its explosive music and sardonic vocal performance, this tune brings a punk and post-punk edge to the record. The guitars have a raw, nostalgic vibe to them, sending the listener into an earthquake of sound characteristic of classic punk rebellion.

Dead Bird – The album leans toward acoustic and psychedelic grunge, with obvious influences from Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains. This is one of the album’s the most interesting moments—melodic, strange, and extremely exciting.

Million Year Old Song – A hard rock monster with an angry spoken-word vocal approach that recalls Rage Against the Machine. The song’s concept of youth, desire, and resistance is wonderfully represented in its frenetic, riff-driven core. The band described it as a look back to a time when “smoke was everywhere” and old-school influences formed cultural alternatives.

The Shot – is a semi-acoustic, easy-listening rock song that gradually builds to an electrified, full-band conclusion. It shows the band’s capacity to combine softer melodies with their typical raw challenge, adding complexity to the record.

Lazarus – The album’s concluding tune is semi-psychedelic with a post-grunge vibe, including 1990s-inspired guitar work and an increasing, lyrical chorus. It is the album’s power ballad, closing out the voyage with a mix of heaviness and sadness.

Cigarette is an album that combines heaviness and atmosphere, violence and melody. From the spooky atmosphere of “Baby Pictures” to the crushing energy of “Million Year Old Song” to the grunge-inspired melancholy of “Dead Bird,” The Giraffes show a diverse spectrum of inspirations all while maintaining a distinct personality.