GENRE; Alt Rock Pop/ Singer-Songwriter Band/ Soft Rock/ Retro Guitar Rock Pop
RELEASE DATE; 08 May, 2026
RATING; 4.1/5
Citizen Smith present a refined yet deeply human statement with “Somewhere Between Leaving” an album that examines transition, memory, and emotional continuity with understated confidence. Issued on 8th May 2026, the 13-track collection positions itself not as a conceptual spectacle, but as a grounded reflection on lived experience. Rather than constructing distance through production polish, the band invite closeness, offering a body of work that privileges emotional authenticity over technical perfection.
The recording process is central to the album’s identity. Captured primarily at Sickroom Studios in Norfolk, with additional sessions at bassist Bob’s home studio, the project adopts an analogue-led philosophy that resists digital overprocessing. Vocals are largely preserved in single takes, a deliberate choice that prioritises immediacy and emotional accuracy over correction. This approach results in recordings that feel present and unembellished, where subtle imperfections are retained as integral expressive elements. The production aesthetic is restrained, allowing performances to breathe naturally within the mix.
The album demonstrates a considered balance between melodic accessibility and interpretive looseness. Tracks such as “Superman” and “Summer Magazine” reflect a strong command of classic pop structure, underpinned by clear melodic intent and compositional clarity. In contrast, pieces like “Considered,” “Wine Bottles,” and “Afterglow” adopt a more spontaneous execution, unfolding with minimal intervention and a heightened sense of vulnerability. This duality enhances the album’s narrative depth, offering contrast between carefully shaped songwriting and instinctive performance.
Somewhere Between Leaving stands as a cohesive artistic document shaped by long-standing collaboration and shared musical history. Drawing influence from The Beatles, R.E.M., and Big Star, among others, the band filter these references through a distinctly personal lens. The result is a record defined not by stylistic ambition but by emotional honesty, an assured and reflective work that captures the significance of passing time without overstating its meaning.
