Semisonic—Little Bit of Sun

I'm maybe a year or 2 late to this one, but I'm hoping to rectify that now. I can't believe this somehow slipped past not only my Indie Launchpad radar, but also me personally. Let me add a little bit of personal context here.

I discovered Semisonic when I was in the US on business in 1998. I certainly don't think I'd ever heard their breakout song "Closing Time" on the UK airwaves, but it seemed every time I turned on the TV in my hotel room, I would see the video for "Closing Time". It became a constant earworm, so it made sense, seeing my hotel was virtually on the top of Time Square, to take a stroll along to the Virgin store and pick myself up a copy of the album "Feeling Strangely fine" before I flew back to the UK. Little did I know that the album would be such a huge part of my life. It was only about a year later that I added “Singing in my Sleep” to a mix tape that I would send my girlfriend in Canada, who would then later become my wife. That song and indeed that album are still constant plays and every time I put the album on, I'm filled with such profound memories. That's one of the things I love about music.

I may have missed the boat on Semisonic, but I've also been a big fan of the lead singer, Dan Wilson, who's album "Love Without Fear" is also right up there in my top albums, and unsurprisingly it's his voice that greeted me, when "Little Bit of Sun", the title track opened and I can't begin to tell you the palpable excitement I had as a new Semisonic album opened before me. The track has all of those familiar traits resulting in a track that you can't help but bob your head to, or tap your feet if that's your go to reaction upon hearing a well crafted song.

I love how there can sometimes be such a fine line between a solo artist and the band they're most associated with. When “The Rope” starts, there’s no mistaking, this feels like a Semisonic track through and through. It’s upbeat, infectious, and instantly familiar.

“Grow Your Own” is one of those bait-and-switch tracks, it sets you up to expect one thing, then takes you in a different direction. It opens with a heavy guitar intro that hints at something bold and forceful, but then shifts into something more restrained and modest, but come the chorus I can easily imagine a crowd singing along, united in a single voice.

Clocking in at just over two minutes, this track is what some might call slight, not in quality, but in length. It brings to mind the 60s era, when artists regularly delivered brilliant singles in tight, punchy formats. “Don’t Fade Away” channels that spirit perfectly. It doesn’t just make the most of its brief runtime, it shines because of it, delivering a direct, no-frills burst of melody that lingers well after it ends.

It's at this stage of the album and I can't help but find myself smiling. There's almost nowhere happier to be than in an obviously great album.

Opening with vocals and simple acoustic backing, "All the Time" unfolds gradually into something with far more depth. Around the midpoint, a tasteful electric guitar solo emerges, and I hope it’s not too bold to say it reminded me a little of Mike Oldfield. It’s a subtle touch, but it adds a rich texture that elevates the song beautifully.

Bursting out of the gate with far more immediacy, “Keep Me In Motion” lives up to its name, fast paced, unrelenting, and a proper belter of a track. There’s an energy here that grabs hold from the first few bars and doesn’t let go. The driving rhythm, sharp instrumentation, and confident vocal delivery give it a sense of urgency that’s infectious. It’s one of those songs that practically dares you to sit still.

Lead vocal duties on “If You Say So” are taken up by bassist John Munson, something that becomes abundantly clear almost immediately. I love this track, and I really enjoy the vocals, though I’ll admit they caught me by surprise at first. And I hope John takes this in the spirit it’s intended, but his voice reminded me a lot of a cross between Cat Stevens and Roy Wood from Wizzard — warm, distinctive, and full of character. The latter comparison may be due to the slight effect on his vocals.

I know the 2023 summer tour for the album was cut short due to John’s stroke, but I read recently that he’s singing again and hopeful his bass playing will return soon. I sincerely wish him a smooth and full recovery.

I have to admit "Out of the Dirt" is probably for me the weakest track on the album. I can't put my finger on it precisely. Maybe, for me, it doesn't feel quite like a Semisonic track, or maybe it's just because it's distinctly different in feel to the other tracks. Don't get me wrong, it's a good track, foe me though just not in keeping with the rest of the album.

The same can't be said for "It Wasn't Like We Hoped It Would Be", a mouthful of a title, but a return to what for me is that more typical Semisonic sound. Punchy, upbeat, with a nice musical break in the middle and fake out ending.

“So Amazed,” like many tracks on this album, begins with a wonderfully simple intro that gradually opens up into something much fuller. It’s another of the shorter songs, but it delivers its impact effortlessly, no wasted moments, just a clean, confident burst of emotion and melody.

There’s a slightly different feel to “Only Empathy.” It comes across as stripped back, almost like a one-take recording. That’s not meant as a criticism in any way; in fact, it gives the track a raw, intimate energy that really stands out. It feels honest and immediate, as if the moment was captured just as it was meant to be.

The last track is "Beautiful Sky". At times, it almost felt like it had a classical underpinning in the chord progressions, something subtle, but undeniably elegant. There’s a great guitar solo around the midpoint, and the track as a whole serves as a powerful and fitting way to close the album. More than anything, though, it’s the lingering emotional weight of the song that stood out to me. There’s something about it that stayed with me long after that first listen, the kind of track that quietly echoes in your head and heart.

If it were released in 2025, it would certainly be up there with my top picks for the year. That being said it's still a top pick and a wonderful return by a band that remains close to my heart. And I can't help but hope for a much shorter pause before the next release.