While some bands chase trends and perfection, Citizen Smith is on a mission for something much harder to find: truth. That makes them special. Today’s another episode, and it’s a pleasure to welcome the quartet back to Songweb. They are a band built on years of friendship, shared experiences, and a genuine love for making music. Instead of hiding behind studio tricks or polished production, they stand together and let real emotions speak for themselves. Inspired by legends like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Velvet Underground, and the warm sounds of classic West Coast music, they have created a familiar and personal style.
Their new album, ‘Somewhere Between Leaving,’ released on May 8, 2026, proves that music doesn’t need to be perfect to be powerful. Across thirteen original songs, the band captures themes of love, memories, change, hope, and the quiet moments that shape our lives. Every note feels lived in, every lyric sounds believable, and every performance reminds us that the best music often comes from the heart rather than technology.
The opening track, “Memories,” sets the tone with a gentle sense of reflection. It feels like reflecting on old photographs, not with regret but with care. The vocals are soft and thoughtful, and the band plays with patience. This is a song that opens the door slowly and invites us in.
“Superman” delivers one of the album’s strongest moments. It has lift, color, and a catchy spirit while still maintaining the band’s grounded feeling. The performance is lively and direct. The vocals mix strength and vulnerability, adding depth beyond the melody. It’s a song that can stay in the head for days.
Moving forward, “Stepping Stone” moves with a clear, steady heart. The title fits well because the song feels like progress, even though the path isn’t easy. The band plays with quiet confidence, and the vocals guide the song with calm emotion. It’s one of those tracks that seems simple at first but reveals more richness with each listen.
“Avant Gardening” has a playful title, and the music reflects that spirit too. It carries a creative, slightly quirky charm. The band sounds relaxed and clever here, letting the instrumentation add small surprises. The vocals remain warm and human, ensuring the song never feels like a joke. Instead, it feels like a bright and thoughtful moment in the middle of the album.
“See You Again” brings a deeper emotional pull. It feels like parting, but not in a cold way. There’s care in it and a touch of sadness too. The singing is full of feeling without being dramatic, and the band supports it with a soft but strong arrangement. This is one of the album’s most touching songs.
“Afterglow” is one of the album’s most striking moments, made even more powerful by being captured in a single take. You can hear its raw truth. The song feels immediate and unguarded, like a thought spoken before it can be edited. That honesty gives it strength. The vocals are open and genuine, and the performance holds a soft beauty that can’t be faked.
“A Lovers’ Song” leans into tenderness. It feels romantic without being superficially sweet. The band allows the song enough space to breathe, making the vocals feel close enough to touch. It’s a song about feeling, not posturing. That sincerity makes it one of the album’s most genuine tracks.
“Considered” is another song that benefits from the single-take approach. It’s raw, direct, and personal. There’s no hiding here. The performance sounds like a room full of trust, where everyone understands that the moment matters. The vocals carry weight because they sound real, not overly polished. To me, it’s one of the album’s emotional high points.
“Summer Magazine” stands out as another strong song. It has a bright, nostalgic feel, almost like a memory of a season that has already passed. The instrumentation is easy to enjoy, with the band sounding loose but focused. The vocals enhance its charm and warmth. It’s catchy but never empty.
“Good Times” brings a more open and easy feeling. It sounds like a song created with a smile, even if there’s still a hint of looking back. The performance is confident and relaxed. The band sounds like they know exactly who they are here, and that confidence adds strength to the song.
“Wine Bottles” is one of the most relatable songs on the album. Recorded in a single take, it keeps the flaws that make a performance feel real. It has a lived-in quality, like a late-night conversation turned into a song. The vocals are expressive and genuine, and the entire track carries a quiet emotional weight.
“In My Mind” feels introspective. It’s thoughtful and slightly dreamy, with a sound that fits the title well. The band gives the song enough room to drift, yet it never loses control. The vocals feel personal, almost whispered in places, enhancing the song’s strength.
The closing track, “Gravity 26,” gives the album a final sense of motion and meaning. It feels like the last step in a journey that has been honest from the start. The performance is rich in character, and the band ends the record with the same emotional truth that has carried it throughout. It’s a fitting conclusion, as it doesn’t try to tie everything up neatly. It simply leaves you with a feeling.
One of the album’s greatest strengths is its vocal approach. Nothing sounds forced or exaggerated. Each vocal performance feels like a conversation rather than a show. Because many vocals were recorded in single takes, we hear real emotion instead of overly polished perfection. This honesty makes every song more believable. The musicians deserve equal praise. Years of friendship have fostered a natural chemistry that can’t be manufactured. Every player knows when to step forward and when to hold back. No one tries to outshine the others. Instead, they collaborate to serve the songs.
The album embraces analog recording and real performances. Instead of correcting every minor mistake, Citizen Smith chose to preserve the natural feel of each performance. That choice pays off beautifully. The guitars sound warm and expressive, the bass provides a solid, melodic foundation, and the drums feel alive rather than mechanical. Each instrument has room to breathe, creating a rich yet uncluttered sound. The production supports the music, allowing its emotions to shine.
‘Somewhere Between Leaving’ is an album made by musicians who realize that the best music isn’t always the cleanest music. Sometimes the best music breathes, shakes a little, and tells the truth. This album achieves that. It welcomes you in, remains honest with you, and leaves you with something warm to hold onto. Citizen Smith deserves this second Songweb feature. They are not just another band with good influences and talented musicians. They are a band with heart, memory, and genuine chemistry. They offer something rare in a world full of overworked sounds and overproduced records.
Listen to the “Somewhere Between Leaving” album on Spotify
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