Smith Westerns | B+

Dye It Blonde, Smith Westerns' newest addition to their catalogue, is certainly not an album to be overlooked. The Indie genre usually stays relatively below the radar, but Smith Westerns stand out with this album by staying true to Indie, while being unique and radio friendly. Dye It Blonde sounds clean and polished, which is a change from their previously Lo-Fi sound — making them much more accessible to the casual listener.

With not a single song on the album breaking the 4:20 mark in length, the tracks are concise bite-sized bits of great music. The songs are simple enough in orchestration but all the more comprehensible and fun for all listeners. Energy oozes through the album, which heeds insight to the group's personality. The first track, "End of the Night," is scarily reminiscent of Led Zeppelin with its shuffling rhythm and crunchy guitar hooks. The second track worth mentioning, "Dye the World," is distorted in sound but smooth aesthetically, with nice harmonies rising and falling, which is very characteristic of the entire record. "All Die Young" is another noteworthy track and has a warm ring familiar to those who enjoy late '80s Indie, such as Galaxie 500.

Dye It Blonde is a well-crafted effort that holds true to its Indie roots. Smith Westerns has created an album that contains many engaging tracks that will make its enjoyment long-lasting. Whether you are heavily invested in the current Indie scene, or if you just want some new great music to listen to, pick up a copy of Smith Westerns newest endeavor.