Silk’s Auralux Signals a Powerful New Chapter for Irish Shoegaze

Music Review | 10th April, 2026

When Virgins called it a day in 2025, it felt like a serious gut punch to Ireland’s shoegaze scene. But out of that loss came something unexpectedly exciting: Silk, the new project from former Virgins songwriter and guitarist Michael Smyth.

Smyth didn’t waste any time. In the months following the split, he dropped a run of singles that quickly picked up traction across radio and music press, building momentum the old-school way, strong releases and relentless gigging. Silk has already become a familiar name on the Irish touring circuit, with appearances at GazeFest alongside acts like Whitelands and Sweet Sweet Noise.

Auralux Review – Layers of Noise and Emotion

Fresh off the success of Clementine, Silk return with Auralux, the title track from their upcoming debut mini-album (out May 7th). And if this track is anything to go by, the project is only getting bolder.

Auralux opens with an eerie wash of shimmering guitars, slowly pulling you into its atmosphere before dropping into a dense wall of fuzz driven by a steady, grounded beat. The verses play with a call-and-response dynamic between vocals and guitar textures, with Smyth delivering the haunting line: keep me out of heaven / it’s just another place.

Then comes the chorus - pure shoegaze maximalism. Layers of distortion stack endlessly, while dreamy lead lines weave through the noise, creating that perfect balance between chaos and beauty. It’s immersive, loud, and emotionally charged in all the right ways.

A Raw, DIY Sound That Feels Real

Speaking about the track and the upcoming record, Michael Smyth explains his approach:

There is no beauty in perfection...I want the record to feel real...visceral self-expression, cooking valves, speakers pushing air and real drums straining under every hit.

That ethos is clear throughout Auralux. This isn’t polished, overly-produced indie - it’s raw, physical, and alive.

Silk Live – A One-Man Vision Turned Full Band Force

While Silk is largely a solo project in the studio, the live setup brings serious firepower. Smyth is joined by Cameron Leggat (guitar), Shane McMullan (bass), and former Virgins drummer Matthew McMullan - transforming the project into a full-on shoegaze powerhouse on stage.

On the production side, everything stays close to home. Recording was handled by Smyth in the band’s practice space, with mixing by AJ Das of Picture Postcard, and mastering by Dan Coutant of Sunroom Mastering.

Final Thoughts – A Must-Listen Shoegaze Release

Auralux doesn’t just mark another single release - it feels like a statement. Silk are carving out a distinct space in the modern Irish shoegaze revival, blending DIY authenticity with massive, immersive soundscapes.

If this track is any indication, their upcoming mini-album is going to be essential listening for fans of shoegaze, noise rock, and atmospheric indie alike.

You can catch Silk live here:

May 14th Galway, The Ol' 55

May 15th Cork, Fred Zeppelins

May 16th Waterford, GOMA

May 28th Dublin, Whelans Upstairs

May 30th Belfast, Ulster Sports Club

June 16th Glasgow, Hug and Pint

June 17th Hull, The New Adelphi

June 18th Northampton, The Lab

June 19th Brighton, Folklore Rooms

June 20th London, Folklore Rooms

June 21st Edinburgh, Banshee Labyrinth

Aug 28th Dublin, GazeFest

Aug 29th Belfast, GazeFest

The single, Auralux, is available through all streaming platforms.

Photo Credit: @annalogue.jpeg