SG60: semiwestern - semiwestern [LP]

Texas-based band semiwestern is the project of Ty Bohrnstedt and Daniel Gonzalez. They first met by crossing paths as aspiring tennis players competing in national junior tournaments around the country, but later reunited in their 20s; influenced by artists ranging from Elliot Smith to Sonic Youth, and with a sound heavily inspired by the ethos of DIY, they eventually formed semiwestern, releasing their first EP (as The Vliets then) in 2011.

Nearly twelve years later, they’ve since expanded to a quartet and, now, arrives with a full length self-titled LP for Spirit Goth Records. Described as “a collection of lush nostalgic tracks that explore empathy in self-perception and resilience in growing up,” the debut is a flawless amalgamation of alternative rock, shoegaze, and bedroom pop, with stoicism and vulnerability operating in tandem. The guitar is a palpable force throughout; tracks like “technique” and “cienaga” show it as cyclical, direct, and nuanced all at once. Ultimately, Bohrnstedt’s echoed, lo-fi vocals give everything a dream-like aura, but one that, in its earnest production and thoughtful composition, makes sure these tracks are kept close to the heart.