Gonzalez initially started the project as an experimental recording while studying at the University of Texas at El Paso. What began as a solo endeavor evolved into a full band, eventually featuring members Jacob Tomsky on drums and Randall Miller on bass. The breakthrough came in 2012 with the viral success of their debut single Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby, which gained widespread attention for its dreamy minimalism and emotional intimacy.

Following their self-titled debut album in 2017, Cigarettes After Sex solidified their global reputation with tracks such as Apocalypse and Each Time You Fall in Love. Their 2019 album Cry, recorded in Mallorca, continued to refine their signature cinematic sound, merging gentle pop melodies with deeply introspective lyrics that explore love, desire, and melancholy.

The band’s music has been widely featured in film, television, and advertising, amplifying its atmospheric allure and emotional resonance. Their visual aesthetic often monochromatic and timeless complements the sensual and dreamlike quality of their music, making them one of the defining acts in the modern dream pop and ambient pop landscape.

Through Greg Gonzalez’s intimate songwriting and the band’s carefully crafted sonic identity, Cigarettes After Sex has created a distinctive emotional universe one that blurs the line between the romantic and the cinematic, inviting listeners into a world of quiet reflection and bittersweet beauty.