Chino Moreno’s ††† (Crosses) Drop Dreamy New Singles “Initiation” and “Protection”

Today, Crosses, the electro-pop project of Deftones frontman Chino Moreno, have released not just one, but two singles, “Initiation” and “Protection,” marking the group’s first original music in eight years.

The act most recently released a cover of the 1988 song “Goodbye Horses” by Q Lazzarus in December 2021 when they signed a record deal with Warner Records. Before that, they released a cover of “The Beginning of the End” by electropop group Cause & Effect in December 2020.

Although we’re getting new, original music now, Crosses haven’t gone as far to announce a new record or EP just yet, but considering they signed a new record deal last year, maybe something could be on the way? We can all hope, at least, because more Chino Moreno in your day is never a bad thing.

As you might have guessed, the songs are dreamy and transient and likely the perfect thing for your St. Patrick’s day hangover if you aren’t throwing up on your alcohol-induced death bed and can stomach some music. The music video for “Initiation,” however, does leave me with a few questions though. Namely: What kind of restaurant do you go to where they keep boxes of mirrors under the table? I can’t speak for anyone else, but 90% of the time I go to a restaurant, my order is something that will anger my body and put my ancestors to shame. I most certainly would not want eye contact with myself while ordering it. I am also a bit confused as to the ending with the bike. I might not know a lot about beaches since I grew up in Missouri, but I feel like leaving your bike on the beach is something you only do in New Jersey.

But I digress, music videos aren’t known for their coherence and the music is pretty good. That’s what matters.