Turin-based band Smile have an obvious affinity for late 90s underground indie rock – their latest offering, “Half Faith, Half Struggle” has all the urgency of a 90s indie punk band packed into a super-sincere mix. Sometimes the best songs come together quickly – with only two chords, a constant rhythm, and ultra-meaningful lyrics, “HFHS” feels like a moment in time; the perfect way to encapsulate a feeling or a mood. It’s done with a surprising amount of urgency and emotion, but never seems to sacrifice melody either. Fans of The Replacements, Hüsker Dü, or Japandroids are going to enjoy this a lot.
You can find “Half Faith, Half Struggle” on Soundcloud (below) or Spotify.