Nate Smith, a country singer and songwriter with a penchant for storytelling, possesses a rich, emotive voice that resonates deeply with listeners. Born and raised in Paradise, California, Smith’s musical influences spanned genres, from the mainstream country of Garth Brooks to the gritty alternative rock of Nirvana. At the age of 13, he picked up the guitar, finding his first musical home in a local church where he honed his craft as a worship leader.
At 23, Smith made the leap to Nashville, Tennessee, seeking to fulfill his dreams in the country music capital. Despite securing a recording contract with a Christian music label, his initial foray into Nashville fell short, prompting a return to Paradise. However, fate intervened in November 2018 when a devastating wildfire ravaged his hometown, destroying his home and musical instruments. Inspired by the tragedy, Smith penned ‘One of These Days,’ a poignant testament to resilience that garnered widespread acclaim after he performed it on a local news show.
Buoyed by the success of ‘One of These Days,’ Smith seized the opportunity to reignite his music career, releasing independent hits like ‘Under My Skin’ and ‘Sleeve.’ His talent caught the attention of Sony Music Nashville, leading to a record deal and the release of singles like ‘Raised Up’ and ‘I Don’t Wanna Go to Heaven.’ In 2023, Smith unveiled his debut album, ‘Nate Smith,’ a collection of soulful tracks produced by a team of industry heavyweights. The album soared to number six on the Top Country Albums chart, cementing Smith’s status as a rising star in the country music scene. You can read our review of Nate Smith’s debut album right here.
Nate Smith’s latest EP, ‘Through the Smoke’, delves deep into the emotional landscape of heartbreak and longing, offering a diverse yet cohesive collection of songs that resonate with listeners. Across the EP, Smith explores themes of resilience, pain, and the complexities of relationships, delivering each track with his signature style and lyrical prowess.
The EP kicks off with the familiar style that fans have come to love from Nate Smith. ‘Bulletproof’ sets the tone with its quieter verses leading into expansive choruses, showcasing Smith’s ability to weave intricate wordplay (playing with the double meaning of the word ‘bullet proof’) is strong here as he sings about trying to get over an ex on this powerful track. He delves deeper into the aftermath of heartbreak on ‘Wish I Never Felt,’ offering a unique approach to the structure of the song with consistent pacing throughout the verses and chorus. This track highlights Smith’s willingness to experiment with song structure while maintaining emotional depth within the boundaries and confines of the genre of Country music. “Rock bottom hits different this time,” Smith sings, in an extension of the story from the first song.
Continuing the exploration of post-relationship emotions, ‘Rather Be Lonely’ takes a refreshing turn with its heavy club bass and 808-driven sound. The track builds momentum, culminating in a dynamic finale that seamlessly blends traditional country elements with contemporary pop influences. The time change in the final third of the song accelerates it into a faster pace with the drums & guitars becoming something more traditional than in the genre-blurring first two thirds.
Smith’s USP, which he expertly showcased on his recent cover of Snow Patrol’s ‘Chasing Cars’ is to explore those arena-sized production sounds and melodies that bands like the aforementioned Snow Patrol and fellow Brits, Coldplay, are famous for. A track like ‘Hollywood’ is the poster child for this style. Paying homage to both California and the allure of love, ‘Hollywood’ captivates with its anthemic sound and expansive production. Smith’s evocative lyrics, coupled with the grandeur of drums and guitars, make this track a standout moment on the EP as he blurs the lines between Country and arena-adjacent Pop/Rock. Similarly, on ‘Make it With You’ Smith teams up with The War and Treaty for a smooth and impassioned mid-tempo love song. The collaboration brings together powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics, creating a poignant narrative of love and connection. There’s big vocals, impassioned lyrics and big ambitions here as they play around with the meaning of ‘Make It With You’ on a bed of huge production and grandiose sounds.
Reflecting on the nostalgia and familiarity of small-town life, ‘Here’s to Hometowns’ delivers an uplifting and anthemic experience, making what are familiar lyrical tropes in modern Country music sound fresh and relatable. With its catchy chorus, driving drums, and chugging guitars, this song is poised to become a staple in Smith’s live performances. Closing the EP with a surprising twist, Smith offers a faithful rendition of Nirvana’s iconic hit, ‘Heart Shaped Box.’ With its darker tones and grunge-inspired sound, this cover showcases Smith’s versatility as an artist, adding a compelling finale to ‘Through the Smoke’ that most listeners certainly won’t see coming.
Overall, ‘Through the Smoke’ demonstrates Nate Smith’s ability to navigate a range of emotions and musical styles while maintaining a cohesive narrative thread. There’s a good deal of experimentation at play on the EP, from the darker grunge tones of ‘Heart Shaped Box’ through to the Pop / club rhythms of ‘Rather Be Lonely’ that will surprise some listeners but with its heartfelt lyrics, dynamic arrangements, and powerful performances, this EP solidifies Smith’s position as a rising star in the country music scene.
Tracklist: 1. Bulletproof 2. Wish I Never Felt 3. Rather Be Lonely 4. Here’s to Hometowns 5. Make it With You 6. Hollywood 7. Heart Shaped Box Record Label: Sony Nashville Release Date: April 5th Buy ‘Through the Smoke’ right here.
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