The USA‑based dream pop duo Magic Wands return with a luminous new single, “Sacred Mirrors”, marking a rare and inspired collaboration with guitarist John Ashton, best known for his defining role in The Psychedelic Furs. Ashton contributed to all seven of the band’s classic albums released between 1980 and 1991, later moving into production work for artists such as Marianne Faithfull and The Sisters Of Mercy — including their iconic 1982 single “Alice”. Although The Psychedelic Furs went on hiatus in the early ’90s, Ashton rejoined them for eight years following their 2000 reformation, and eventually released his own solo record, Satellite Paradiso in 2016.

Ashton explains that the collaboration began with a simple recommendation from a friend. “I fell in love with Magic Wands the moment I heard them,” he recalls. “Their music immediately sparked visions and emotions that stayed with me. I was hooked, especially after hearing ‘Across The Water’ from their latest album, Cascades. I mentioned this during an interview on the Sticky Jazz podcast, and by chance, the host was also a fan — he connected us. ‘Sacred Mirrors’ was born from that inspiration, and I’m honoured to have worked with them.”

The admiration flows both ways. Magic Wands — Dexy and Chris Valentine — have long held Ashton’s work in high regard. “We’ve always been fans of The Psychedelic Furs,” they state. “John’s guitar style carries a very particular emotional resonance for us. We love his solo track ‘Invisible’, his production on The Sisters Of Mercy’s ‘Alice’, and of course his unforgettable guitar work on Furs classics like ‘Pretty In Pink’, ‘Dumb Waiters’, ‘Into You Like A Train’, ‘Heartbreak Beat’ and ‘Until She Comes’.”

The creative process behind “Sacred Mirrors” began when Ashton sent the duo an instrumental piece already bearing the title. Magic Wands expanded it with additional guitar layers, keyboards, percussion and vocals. Dexy penned the lyrics, while Chris handled production and mixing. “We kept John’s title but approached it from a more spiritual angle,” Dexy explains. “We’re all sky‑gazers, so the song is filled with imagery of the sea, sky, moon and stars. It’s a love song for outsiders — a reflection on dreaming, longing and endless possibilities. Working with John has nudged us back toward a lighter, more uplifting creative space after the darker tones of Cascades and Switch. His songwriting DNA helped guide us there.”

Originally formed in Nashville and now based in Los Angeles, Magic Wands have carved out a distinctive niche with their shimmering blend of dream pop, shoegaze, post‑punk and goth. Their sound is characterised by textured guitars, drifting synths and ethereal vocals that conjure a sense of otherworldly escape. Their sixth album, Cascades, arrived in October 2025 via Metropolis Records, further cementing their reputation for crafting emotionally evocative, atmospheric music.

With “Sacred Mirrors”, the duo step into a new creative chapter — one shaped by collaboration, mutual admiration and a renewed sense of brightness within their dream‑laden sonic universe. Link