New misery

Description

The former singer of Smith Westerns returns with a debut indie pop album with addictive melodies. After three indie albums particularly well received by specialized critics between 2009 and 2013, Smith Westerns finally split up in December 2014. Former singer Cullen Omori is now creating a surprise by announcing a first solo album due out next spring. Titled New Misery, the record was recorded under the guidance of producer Shane Stoneback (Sleigh Bells, Vampire Weekend, Cults) and mixed by sound engineer Emily Lazar (Sia, Haim, Arcade Fire, Björk). The young man began working on these new tracks at the beginning of 2014. In a statement, he explains that he wrote his songs after spending long hours listening to Top 40 radio at the hospital where he earns a living doing cleaning work. "I left Smith Westerns at the age of 25 with no real work experience, I only knew how to play music," explains Cullen Omori in the statement accompanying this announcement. "Writing and recording these songs was cathartic for me. I didn’t know where it would take me, but picking up my guitar and playing these tracks was the only way to find out." New Misery brings back the glam-rock vibes of Smith Westerns while adding more pronounced mainstream pop sounds. "I can’t sit here and say I’m going to write a Sam Smith or Adele song. The best I can do is this strange hybrid of what I think a pop song is," he explains. "An immediate song that hits hard, a damn good chorus." - SOULKITCHEN about the track 'Cinnamon'.