BLVD HVNNY – Ignite the Shadows with IX – A Gothic-Cinematic Triumph

Photographer Ame Bell

South Africa’s shadow-drenched new force BLVD HVNNY have dropped their blistering debut album IX—a cinematic plunge into gothic, trip hop, and electronic depths via Mongrel Records.

Led by Cito (WONDERboom, Absinthè), BLVD HVNNY transforms personal myth into musical ritual. Originally a solo studio project, the band has exploded into a five-piece sonic cult, performing beat-heavy, synth-laced epics entirely live.

Their striking reimagining of Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds’ The Weeping Song, featuring Ross Learmonth of Prime Circle, dominated Mix 93.8 FM’s SA Top 40 for five consecutive weeks and was crowned Song of the Year. Visually, their music videos for Joaquín and Nocturnes have won a combined eight international film festival awards.

IX is a beautifully fractured sonic journey through mood and memory, featuring lyrical collaborations with long-time co-writer Erin Alden (Lilac Sky, Joaquín, Scarface), gothic icon Ashton Nyte of The Awakening—who also lends his vocals to She’s One of Us Now—and Bronwyn Leigh Fink on a stirring cover of Yazoo’s Winter Kills. That track was elevated further by world-renowned producer Craigie Dodds, whose genre-defying touch brought new depth and intensity.

Buy / Stream IX

“It’s surreal and liberating to finally unleash this,” says Cito. “This is BLVD HVNNY at full force.”

Produced by Matthew Fink (formerly of The Awakening) and Barry Berk, IX offers a rich, immersive soundscape that lingers long after the final note.

BLVD HVNNY is:

Cito – vocals, keys

Waldo Luc Alexander – violin

Warren Leicher – bass

Ryan Greenwood – drums

Martin Schofield – guitar

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