After recently signing to a new label, Mom + Pop Music, Smith Westerns are back with their newest installment, a full-length album entitled Soft Will. Hailing from Chicago, the trio began as a group of punkish teenagers fresh out of high school. They have grown up quite a bit since then, hitting the scene with a more polished, personal statement.
One of the tracks from the new album, “Idol” is a driving song with a prominent beat and dreamy guitar hooks. As the melody enters, the vocals float above it, creating a light atmosphere which would be at risk for floating away if not for the strong, grounded beat that could have been borrowed from an ’80s pop anthem. Vocalist Cullen Omori calls out to a hero he’s always looked up to, saying, “I followed your every move, pretending to be just like you / idol, idol, idol.” However, as the song comes to a close, the lyrics ironically express how this hero has failed the singer with the final repeated line, “So they said it was a joke and there’s no one else to believe in,” followed by an abrupt end. This sudden shift causes the listener to rethink the light, poppy sound of the track as something more serious that it seems.
Smith Westerns are getting ready to embark on a two month national tour, with an early stop right here in Madison. We are excited to welcome them to Live on King Street, presented by the Majestic Theatre, next Friday, July 19.