There is a certain confidence required to make an album like ‘Somewhere Between Leaving’. It’s the quieter assurance that simple, well-written songs can still carry considerable emotional weight. And Citizen Smith’s latest record leans heavily into that belief, delivering thirteen songs that reflect on change, memory and the passing of time with a refreshing lack of pretence.
The Norwich-based four-piece approach the album with a clear sense of purpose. These are songs concerned with life’s gradual transitions, such as the relationships that shape us, the moments we carry forward, and the experiences that leave subtle marks long after they have passed. Yet despite these reflective themes, ‘Somewhere Between Leaving’ avoids becoming overly introspective.
Musically, Citizen Smith draw from a familiar but dependable palette. Elements of classic British guitar music sit comfortably alongside shades of American roots and West Coast influences, creating a sound that feels lived-in and unforced. The arrangements rarely demand attention, instead allowing the songs themselves to remain at the forefront. It is a record more interested in atmosphere and feeling than any kind of stylistic reinvention.
The brighter moments arrive through tracks such as ‘Superman’ and ‘Summer Magazine’, where strong melodies and understated hooks provide some of the album’s most immediate rewards. Elsewhere, songs like ‘Considered’ and ‘Afterglow’ reveal the band’s willingness to leave imperfections intact. Recorded with minimal intervention, these performances possess a natural intimacy that suits the material well.
And that decision proves to be one of the album’s greatest strengths. The predominantly analogue recording approach gives the music room to breathe, while the single-take vocal performances preserve the nuances that can often be lost through excessive refinement.
What ultimately distinguishes ‘Somewhere Between Leaving’ is its perspective. The album acknowledges disappointment, loss, and uncertainty, but it never dwells on them. It treats life’s complications as part of a broader journey that remains worth celebrating despite its inevitable difficulties.
Citizen Smith may not be attempting to reinvent guitar music here, but that was never the point. ‘Somewhere Between Leaving’ succeeds because it understands the value of sincerity. It is an album built on friendship, experience and a shared love of songwriting, and those qualities resonate throughout every track. The result is a thoughtful, quietly affecting collection that rewards those willing to spend time with it.