Hailing from Norwich, Citizen Smith deliver a deeply human and emotionally resonant body of work with their 13-track album Somewhere Between Leaving, released on 8th May 2026. Built on friendship, shared musical history, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity, the record captures the emotional complexity of life without ever losing warmth, hope, or heart. At its core, Somewhere Between Leaving is an album about time — the people who pass through our lives, the memories that remain, and the emotional weight carried through love, loss, change, and reflection. Rather than approaching these themes through heavy introspection or polished sentimentality, Citizen Smith embrace honesty in its rawest form. The album feels lived-in and genuine, allowing imperfections to remain as part of the emotional truth behind the music.
Recorded primarily at Sickroom Studios in Norfolk, with several tracks completed at bassist Bob’s home studio, the album was intentionally created with an analogue-focused approach that prioritized instinct and feeling over perfection. All vocals were recorded in single takes, preserving the natural emotional delivery of each performance instead of constructing artificial precision through endless editing. That decision gives the album a warmth and humanity that becomes one of its defining strengths. Tracks such as “Superman” and “Summer Magazine” showcase the band’s ability to craft memorable pop-rock songwriting filled with melody and emotional accessibility. “Summer Magazine,” in particular, carries a nostalgic, feel-good atmosphere inspired by unattainable love while still maintaining the band’s grounded emotional honesty. Elsewhere, songs like “Considered,” “Wine Bottles,” and “Afterglow” reveal a more intimate side of the album, recorded in one take with every imperfection left intact. These moments feel deeply personal, almost documentary-like in their sincerity.
Citizen Smith draw influence from legendary acts including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Velvet Underground, while also embracing the melodic richness of West Coast music across multiple generations. Yet despite these influences, the album never feels overly nostalgic or derivative. Instead, it channels familiar emotional textures into something personal and contemporary. The beauty of Somewhere Between Leaving lies in its balance of contrasts. It is melancholic without becoming hopeless, reflective without losing momentum, and emotionally vulnerable without feeling performative. The band openly reject the idea of creating an album filled solely with polished “pop tunes,” choosing instead to include quieter, imperfect moments that reflect the unpredictability and emotional contradictions of real life. Songs such as “Stepping Stone,” “A Lovers’ Song,” “Good Times,” and “Gravity 26” continue that emotional journey, creating an album that unfolds naturally rather than chasing obvious singles or commercial formulas. Every track contributes to the feeling that this is less a carefully manufactured release and more a genuine snapshot of four friends creating music they truly believe in. Perhaps the most defining aspect of Citizen Smith is their complete lack of pretension. Their own description of the project — “four good friends doing what they love with who they love” — perfectly captures the spirit of the album. That sincerity runs through every note of Somewhere Between Leaving, making it an album that feels intimate, timeless, and emotionally authentic from beginning to end.
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