South Africa’s shadow-drenched new force BLVD HVNNY have arrived with 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 began as a solo studio project but has since evolved into a five-piece live powerhouse. Their performances are beat-heavy, synth-laced, and unapologetically epic, transforming personal myth into musical ritual.
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.
On the visual front, the music videos for “Joaquín” and “Nocturnes” have earned a combined eight international film festival awards.
The Sound and Collaborations Behind BLVD HVNNY‘s IX
IX is a beautifully fractured sonic journey through mood and memory, enriched by 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 haunting cover of Yazoo’s “Winter Kills”.
The track gains further intensity through the work of world-renowned producer Craigie Dodds, whose genre-defying style brings new emotional depth.
“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 delivers a rich, immersive soundscape that resonates long after the final note fades.
Curious about the album? Stream it HERE.
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