Emerging onto the Alternative Rock scene in the mid ‘90s, the Minneapolis band Semisonic were a little bit different in many ways. Coming after a time of Grunge and heavier Alternative Rock, Semisonic mixed in some softer elements with Pop sensibility and delicately crafted songwriting that attracted radio airplay. In fact, who can forget their 1998 album Feeling Strangely Fine which includes such songs as “Secret Smile,” “Singing In My Sleep,” as well as the decade defining track “Closing Time.” The band’s sophomore album which followed the solid 1996 debut album Great Divide, what came after Feeling Strangely Fine was the very impressive 2001 album All About Chemistry. However, it has been over two decades Semisonic has put out an album. A very long time ago, amazingly, in 2023 they return with their new album Little Bit of Sun.
Released on November 3rd, perhaps a little more history leading up to this point is in order to understand everything. For those who are unaware, Semisonic is led by Dan Wilson; a rather prolific songwriter and producer. In fact, away from Semisonic, Wilson has written/co-written music for a long list of artists which include everyone from Leon Bridges to Bishop Briggs, as well as Taylor Swift. Putting matters into perspective, Wilson and Semisonic (also including Bassist John Munson and Guitarist Jacob Slichter) had spent a lengthy amount of time touring from the ‘90s into the early 2000s recording and touring; so, it makes sense there has been such a gap of time in-between everything. Obviously extended even longer out because of Wilson’s extremely busy, successful career working with many other big recording artists, thankfully, the time was right for new Semisonic music.
Now, Little Bit of Sun is not the first new music from the band since All About Chemistry; it is important to mention they did put out an EP in 2020 called You’re Not Alone. Featuring 5 songs, the EP went over pretty well with fans, but few expected a full-length record to follow 3 years later. That in mind, Little Bit of Sun comes with 12 new songs that includes earlier released singles such as the title-track, “Grow Your Own,” “The Rope,” and “Out of the Dirt,” which features some lead guitar work from Jason Isabell. Each a song that has very different vibes, the remainder of the album pretty much follows a similar path.
Very diverse, but strongly based in more mellow tones, each track was crafted with care that features plenty of delicate textures that require undivided attention. A prime example of this is a song like “Don’t Fade Away,” which may seem like a standard more acoustic-based song, but in truth, there is really far more going on.
This is while others tracks like “All the Time,” the enchanting “Keep Me In Motion,” and more up-tempo “So Amazed” keep you fully enthralled. At times feeling very Beatles-esque in the song presentations, it all wraps up nicely with the really lovely “Beautiful Sky” which has My Morning Jacket’s Jim James joining in on vocals.
When it is all said and done Semisonic’s first full-length album in 22 years is very much more a hit than miss. Smooth, relaxing, and better with each listen, it is an album that deserves attention. That said, those who may have missed Semisonic in the late ‘90s into the early 2000s, if you are a fan of what bands like Snow Patrol do, you should absolutely check out this album along with older Semisonic material. An album filled with hope and light, Cryptic Rock gives Little Bit of Sun 4 out of 5 stars.
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