Smith Westerns - Soft Will - Review

The Chicago trio channel the California Coast

Smith Westerns, record the quintessential summertime album with their new record “Soft Will”. The Chicago band, somehow create a coastal vibe, while integrating the best aspects of early eighties new wave and the thoughtful poppiness of the British invasion. The songs are simple, in the best possible way, encouraging listeners to roll their windows down, put their hand out into the breeze, and just enjoy the moment.

Smith Westerns aren't charting any new territory, with lyrics about growing up and summer love over simple, single note guitar riffs and steady rhythms, but there is something so refreshing about the way they don't over think things. The opening track “3am Spiritual”, sets the tone for the whole album's "young love” feel as lead singer Cullen Omori sings, “Please keep close to me/I don't want to let you off my arm”. You can practically see the mini movies unfold with track after track. The 6/8 time tune “Cheer Up” conjures images of a couple reuniting for one last dance at their senior prom. “Best Friend” could sub in for Lynyrd Skynyrd's “Tuesdays Gone” as the party closer in the cult hit “Dazed and Confused”.

Silence plays a key role in the musical make up of most of the tracks, as if it is an instrument of it's own. “White Oath” is airy and deep, with the band showing great patience as they let the music build. “XXIII”, the album's sole instrumental track is wistful and sounds like a breeze making it's way peacefully through the trees. The production by Chris Coady, who has previously worked with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Tv On The Radio, is near perfection. Each element is given equal ear time, making it slightly more difficult to hear the vocals yet somehow making them better for it.

“Soft Will” won't change your life, but it will remind listeners of the innocence of youth and all of the emotions that entails. It's a good album, released at the perfect time, and shows that Smith Westerns will be an important band in the years to come.