Sweet New England is out today!
It’s a 13 song collection of everything I’ve done out here in Boston over the years. It features my newest release, “The Low”, as well as “Don’t Say It’s Over Now”, the King Of Cups E.P., and includes all of the singles since the debut album, Of Dreams.
I can’t say anything about Boston that hasn’t already been said.
Lee Smythe’s new single, “The Low,” is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of melancholy with the warm, nostalgic embrace of retro-sounding production. It frames echoes of alt-J through Bright Eyes, in a tale of lost glory and introspective sorrow perfectly matched by evocative lyricism and rich, folksy instrumentation from Smythe. With lyrics such as “Once I was king but it all went to spoil, / you could say that I messed it up royal,” the stage is set for this personal journey of regret and reflection. These are the qualities that will enable careful blending on Smythe’s part of classic songwriting with subtle progressive elements to conjure a sense of great familiarity and, at the same time, freshness before his audience.
“The Low” is steeped in Smythe’s pained vocal and melancholic melody, where the heartbreak just oozes out. The chorus is a brutal confession of feeling “all out of tears” and a wistful plea: “Momma, I have been falling for so long.” It is in the interplay between the dark, inward-facing lyrics and the contemporarily retro soundscape that a song like “The Low” becomes a standout track—the kind whose residue sticks around your ears long after the song is over. Lee Smythe can update the themes with the timeless folk aesthetic of a significant part of the singer-songwriter genre.
Lee Smythe’s “The Low” is a somber meditation on the aftermath of emotional devastation, delivered with the raw vulnerability of a confessional and the calculated precision of a craftsman. Smythe’s vocals, reminiscent of Conor Oberst’s quivering introspection, navigate a sparse instrumental landscape that teeters between indie rock’s penchant for atmospheric builds and slowcore’s patient, almost punishing restraint. The result is a track that feels both timeless and acutely of the moment, a study in contrasts that mirrors the song’s thematic exploration of the thin line between hope and despair.
Lyrically, Smythe demonstrates a knack for weaving complex emotions into deceptively simple phrases. Lines like “Once I was king but it all went to spoil / you could say that I messed it up royal” showcase a sardonic self-awareness that cuts through the track’s melancholy atmosphere. The repeated refrain of “run away heart” serves as both a plea and a warning, encapsulating the internal struggle at the core of the song. As Smythe wrestles with loneliness, fear, and the ghost of past happiness, “The Low” emerges as a powerful testament to the enduring human capacity for hope in the face of overwhelming darkness. It’s a song that lingers long after the final note fades, inviting repeated listens and deeper contemplation.
Big thanks to Jim Bergson for all of his hard work! He engineered, mixed, produced, and mastered the track, not to mention doing some of the sweetest backing vocals you’ve ever heard!
Vocals recorded at Studio A at The Recording Co, Boston.
We’re about a third of the way to finishing up the new album, and also the complete collection of songs from my time in Boston is coming out in a couple months.
Follow this to keep posted!
“art rock and soft rock with a dash of classic songwriting”
Being a niche artist and writing in a sort of retro/oddball style in the days where pop, country, hip hop, and rock have all fused together, mostly gets me confused responses and questions as to why I choose this type of production and feel. That’s why it’s so awesome when I hear that someone really “gets it”!
Thanks folks.
Lee Smythe‘s most recent single, Today Was, possesses the remarkable ability to transport listeners to a distinct time-space, reminiscent of the early to mid-70s, where simplicity and authenticity reigned supreme. The track effortlessly captures this essence, amalgamating art rock and soft rock with a dash of classic songwriting. Through its vintage production, graceful melodies, and playful atmosphere, the song emanates a lightheartedness that harks back to a bygone era. This amalgamation of elements results in an absolute gift to the ears, evoking a sense of nostalgia and musical enchantment that resonates deeply.
This little tune is gonna be the last one for me here at Buried Alive. It’s been a blast, but the 10 hour days tracking and mixing are over for me. The next thing I do will be my second full album, hopefully this winter. Stay tuned, and check out this playlist for The Complete Buried Alive Sessions.
Today was a beautiful day. Nothing reminded me of the way that she used to laugh at things I would say.
Today was a wonderful day. I wondered if I keep feeling this way, and nothing can help, will I be ok?
I’ve been down so low, it all just seems like up to me. Today was a beautiful day.
I know i’m probably going to see her again. No way that heaven’s ever letting us in. We can’t start again.
I’ve been down so low, it all just seems like up to me. Today was a beautiful day.
Recorded at Buried Alive, Boston MA
Engineered and produced by Lee Smythe and Edgar “Edge” Camey
Mastered By Joe Bozzi
Proceeds are going to Miracle Messages to help our homeless.
Folks, it’s way cold outside all over America right now. I can see myself in these people, and I imagine that anything they can get, helps. I lived on Pacific Ave in Venice Beach, CA for years and some of the most special people I met lived on the streets and in shelters. They taught me a lot about resiliency, attitude, and perspective. Stop tearing down their tents, and get your elected politicians to find a way to help them!
Recorded at Buried Alive, Boston, MA. Engineered and Produced by Edgar Camey and Greg Cortez Mastered by Joe Bozzi
Beat The Delete #0163 (weekly new music recommendations)
60s melodies and pop stylistics, washed around with the best retro production and jangled riffs imaginable. One of the catchiest singles of the year so far.
Lee Smythe – Come On
I can see that it’s happening. Why can’t we just be like everyone else? I shouldn’t be laughing, but how long can we keep on hurting ourselves? Just give me your hand, dear. I’ll lay it right here on top of my chest. See how i’m breathing? Take a breath, when you feel me taking a breath. Come on! We’re maybe in trouble, always hiding our lives and feeling ashamed. Have we become monsters? We’re taking to see just how much we can take. Beholden to no one, we figured we’d land somewhere in the stars. But this is too much now. I’m scared that i’ll never forget about us. Come on! Breathe in, breathe out with me. Your head against my shoulder. Breathe in, breathe out with me. This dream will soon be over. It’ll be over soon.
Recorded at Buried Alive, Boston, MA. Engineered and Produced by Edgar Camey and Greg Cortez Mastered by Joe Bozzi
NEW MUSIC COMING SOON!! SEPTEMBER 2 2022, THE DEBUT OF “OLD RATTLESNAKE”
In one of the last conversations I had with my mom, she was telling me how she was gonna get better and be back on her feet soon. She said people didn’t believe her, but she was about to show them all. “Just watch” she said. This is a song for anyone that just can’t shake it, no matter the obvious consequences. Most of us got something.
Huge thanks to Wyatt for the beautiful piano, once again. My favorite part of each song I do.
Love each other.
Recorded at Buried Alive, Boston, MA. Engineered and Produced by Edgar Camey and Greg Cortez Mastered by Joe Bozzi
Here’s my newest song folks!
Leavin’ Him Now – Lee Smythe
I wait for your call tonight. You say he don’t treat you right. I hope that you see the light. You tell me it just takes time. You say that you’re leavin’ him now. I just keep waiting around. You know that you bring me down. I’ll tell you, “It’s him or me, just set me free now!” I don’t need a game to play. So don’t lead me on this way. I said all that I can say. And I think you should leave today. You say that you’re leavin’ him now. I just keep waiting around. You know that you bring me down. I’ll tell you, “It’s him or me, just set me free now!” You say that you’re leavin’ him now….
Recorded at Buried Alive, Boston, MA. Engineered and Produced by Edgar Camey and Greg Cortez Mastered by Joe Bozzi
2021 Jungle Strut Music
Posted on 25 June 2021
How to describe Lee Smythe; well, if there’s a word somewhere specifically for that anachronistic blend of quirky indie vibe perfection and total mainstream pop hit, then that would be a starting point to jump off.
‘It’s Me’, the follow-up to recent EP ‘King Of Cups’, is exactly that – something indescribably great that doesn’t quite fit into any pigeonhole you might have set aside for it. In the same vein as artists like the Urban Voodoo Machine, The Great Malarky, or the Jim Jones Revue, Smythe seems to straddle stylistic boundaries without ever really even noticing they’re there – part old-time London pub sing-along, part indie-pop cool, part alt-jazz musicality.
There’s touches of Daniel Powter, Jamie Cullum, and Harry Connick Jr. in here, but all with a mainstream pop take, and some cute-as-hell little vocal asides-to-camera; it’s just catchy as hell cool-as-fuck indie-pop awesomeness, and it’s absolutely grin-inducing.
Perfection in 4 minutes 12 seconds.
Check out Lee Smythe on Spotify and Instagram.
Review by Alex Holmes
This one was inspired (only inspired) by a friend who DJs and has toured for years, and some of my own experiences too I guess. It’s always hard to be gone, no matter who you are or what takes you away. Maybe this one started out to be about the one leaving, but ended up being about the one that stayed behind.
The prequel to his latest 6-track gem ‘King Of Cups EP, Lee Smythe carefully dusts off the family picture book to show us what it was like ‘When I Was Young‘.
Lee Smythe is a genuine Los Angeles, California-born, Boston in Massachusetts-based indie-folk songwriter, who sings with that authentic old school feel that gives off that classic style, so rare and highly welcome in this plastic-filled world.
With his classy hat, clean suit and smoothly clipped beard looking fresh for action, he slides in the side door with a grin and a toasty performance, that has your whole body warm in delightful comfort.
This is the story of remembering when you were innocent back in the day and had that extra zest for life as a young kid should, going to the beach and recalling those crazy stories with friends, when you did dumb things but it made you wiser. The days are going faster now and you feel like you should probably get back to that part in your life and go on adventures that might scare you, but will get the blood flowing and inspire you again.
His voice is a good time on the curious ears, as he takes you back to those fun days through a vocal delivery that is strong and so pleasurable for all your senses, his terrific guitar style only makes this a memorable experience.
‘When I Was Young‘ from Boston’s Lee Smythe, is that classic track that will remain timeless, the efficient manner he portrays has you smiling and remembering the good old days with friends you haven’t seen for too long.
Stream this quality single on Spotify and follow his life on IG.
Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen
Girl At The Rock Shows reviews the album Of Dreams!
This album closes out with the title track, “Of Dreams”. I like that this track closes out the album in a sound that’s similar to what got it started. That grainy and retro vibe comes back to the forefront almost flirting with turning to psychedleic at times.
A collection of recent singles, including the studio and live versions of the song Don’t Say It’s Over Now.
The E.P. came from a group of songs that didn’t fit the idea of the first album. It’s like writing a set list, or telling a story, and there’s always songs to go with. Recorded and produced, in Boston and Los Angeles by myself, Greg Cortez and Edgar Camey. The album is the second release on Jungle Strut Music.
Additional instruments/keyboard by Wyatt Brown.
Big Big thanks to the folks at Reignland Magazine for this review! Check them out!!!
facebook.com/reignlandmag, instagram.com/reignlandmag, twitter.com/reignlandmag
“I can’t explain, but it’s like summer in your heart”
https://www.divideandconquermusic.com/indie-music-album-reviews/lee-smythe-we-should-go
Earlier this year Lee Smythe received top album honors for his release Of Dreams. The album contained palatable indie rocks gems that were repeat worthy. More recently he released “We Should Go” which is a single.
Smythe’s ability to create an infectious hook is just as apparent here as it was on his album. What I like about Smythe’s songwriting is not only the melodies but his sense of aesthetics. On “We Should Go” he melds striking piano with bass and drums. Some of the aesthetics are in the details. The piano sounds a little like a harpsichord and there seems to be some kind of reverb that surrounds the notes when he hits one.
The descending bass line works wonders on the verse. The groove sounds contemporary but almost with a hint of romantic classical. I was trying to figure out what instrument was making the white noise on the chorus which I felt was an essential ingredient. At any rate, whatever the instrument it works to make the song feel like a certified single and adds to overall emotional resonance.
Lyrically, Smythe builds a very straightforward narrative. This song is essentially a love song and a very optimistic one at that. If he doesn’t paint a tale of true love I’m not sure what is. Smythe also explores the idea of salvation. Lines like, “But your mother hates me, and she loves to tell me so. And people say we don’t fit in, so I’m saying we should go” yearn for a better tomorrow.
I think this concept is one most people are familiar with. If you’ve ever been young and in love there is a good chance you had a discussion about leaving and starting somewhere anew. It’s an exciting idea based on adventure and possibilities. I would say this song not only captures that with the words but with the instruments that surround it as well.
I got a lot of love from these folks with the release of my latest song. They do a lot for artists like myself, and their playlists are way rad too!
Check them out here
https://fortheloveofbands.com/2019/11/04/lee-smythe-we-should-go/
https://open.spotify.com/user/fortheloveofbands?si=0Y0SsFkaTUGwGAJtt8GpAg
By Greg Whitmer
Remember that one friend that would show you some really amazing obscure artist? But they could never exactly explain how they found them or who they were? And you liked the music. You liked the music a lot. Although you wouldn’t know who they were until years down the road on the radio you hear that SAME artist! And you try to tell people that you listened to them before they were famous but nobody believes you. Well, here is your chance to be that friend. Here is your chance to listen to that one Indie rock artist and tell everybody before he gets famous.
Lee Smythe is someone probably like you or I, small-town Los Angeles raised musician with humble roots. Although, for one reason or another, it seems he hasn’t been influenced heavily by many of your typical Indie rock artist who have come out of Los Angeles. And for the people that love a more subtle approach to music, that’s a good thing.
With the new track, “We Should Go” you get an instant feeling that Lee Smythe goes for the straightforward songwriting approach. There are no sudden breakdowns in the song. No chanting chorus. No “in your face” drum beats. It’s a nice swelling sound that builds tension. And one may be thinking, who cares? Well, in a world where most artists have an affordable DAW at their fingertips. And anyone can download a thousand VSTs at any moment and feel the need to use all of those in one song, “We Should Go” sticks to that signature subtly that so perfectly personifies Lee Smythe. And that’s what makes it so enjoyable.
Even the lyrics bring a tasteful reminder that “We Should Go” is not an annoying indie rock ripoff. The lyrics are not some sappy teen girl mood swing poetry-slam. No. The lyrics fit the song. And that’s a big deal, considering that a lot of artists feel it’s necessary to write with no beat or structure. But that’s none of my business. The lyrics, “Cuz I would like to hold your hand as we get on in age” just hit you in the feels, and it works so perfectly with the entire overture of the song. The vocals on the track are spot on. They carry the entire emotion of the songwriting. The lyrics could not be anymore complemented by the vocals you hear, they’re perfect.
Save yourself the trouble and brag to your friends that you found 2023s next big Indie artist. I’m calling it here first folks. Thank me later, it’s the least I could do. You can check out “We Should Go” off the latest EP titled “We Should Go” on Spotify.
This one has ended up being the most streamed song off of the first album so far! It’s crazy because it was just an afterthought really. We were ahead of schedule on the last day at New Monkey, and Greg had the idea to do something quick and easy. He wanted a mellow acoustic song, and this was the first one I thought of. So we dragged the couch in from the lobby, set up a few mics, and just before we started, I hit record on my phone and stood it up on the drum kit across the room. There’s not much else in the way of pictures and video from that session; I’m more into “being there” than living on social media. Anyways, I figured it would be something fun to watch later, and I doubted that the track would would even be anything to put on a record. Luckily it did come out well, we put it on the record, and a few playlists on Spotify picked it up. Credit to Greg Cortez for the idea and the album’s production!
Lee Smythe Interview Q: Can you talk a little bit about your musical history A: So, starting out, I did mostly post-punk stuff. I couldn’t stomach the classic rock and R&B I was raised on, so I looked for anything that was different and new to me. I played bass and then drums, some guitar, always in a supporting role, which was… Read more →
Follow us on Spotify HERE! On April ’18 [Indie Rock / Alternative Playlist] by Samfishmusic On Chill by Ryan Cassata . . .Check out “Had To Be Me” On BIRP! January 2018 by BIRP! On Indiemono’s playlist Sad Indie. . . .Hear the title track from our debut album “Of Dreams” on Folk Indie Ambient by Indiemono Find Indiemono here . . .… Read more →
The video is up! Enjoy!
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Stream it on Spotify too!
https://open.spotify.com/track/3BPTEbcyLIy0o2uCCpPYwI?si=zEqrpKIRSuuZzw-BeZr-tw
Thanks everyone for streaming the new song!
I wanted to sing it for you all just by myself too,
love Lee
Hear “Don’t Say It’s Over Now” on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you listen to music!!!
April 2, 2017 Music
Lee Smythe’s “I Need You” possesses a light and airy sound, one imbued with optimism. With a tender quality to it the way that the song unfurls gives it a quiet sense of power. Right at the heart of the track are the lovelorn lyrics, which serve as the soul of the sound. Articulate to their very core, the narrative of the song has a poetic quality to it. Vocals help to deliver everything with just the right level of passion. Instrumentally rich, Lee Smythe allows for great variety, moving from guitar to piano.
The nimble guitar work introduces the album on a sunny note. Right from the earnest delivery of “alright” the song settles into a sweet swing. Percussion has a brisk, emotive quality to it. His vocals rise above the sound, dreamy in temperament. From far away elements of a western twang come into view. With the entire band in complete sync the small details add up tremendously, from the gentle banjo work to the graceful keyboards. Gradually Lee Smythe includes a greater array of color within the composition, for a sense of a hope develops over the course of the piece. By the very end of the song everything simply comes together in a glorious sea of sound.
On “I Need You” Lee Smythe creates a sound that has a vaudeville quality to it for the song comes into bloom and blossoms with the greatest of ease.
“I Need You”, from the debut album “Of Dreams”. Written by Lee Smythe I Need You (Lyrics) I keep waiting for you to say, “maybe we can get caught today, and do those things we did when we were younger.” But why circle like satellites, we’re both waiting for the other’s sign, oh what can I say to help… Read more →
Our debut album is out now!!! Available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, etc. Thanks so much to everyone that made this very special record happen. Everyone at Jungle Strut Music, New Monkey Studios, JJ Golden, our Family and Friends. We love you ALL!!! iTunes Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Read more →
Thanks so much to blogger “Beach Sloth” for the review! Lee Smythe – Waste Away With Me Aug 26, 2016 | Music | 0 comments On “Waste Away With Me” Lee Smythe taps into a jaunty, nostalgia-tinged sound that marries the Elephant6 Collective aesthetic with vaudeville. Colorful to its very core the piece is a jovial piece, one that includes… Read more →
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CLICK TO BUY/STREAM!!! VINYL AVAILABLE HERE!!! Read more →
The Tallow Candle It sizzled and fizzled as the flames fired the cauldron.. it was the Tallow Candle’s cradle – and out of the warm cradle came a flawless candle; solid, shining white and slim it was formed in a way that made everyone who saw it believe that it was a promise of a bright and radiant future –… Read more →
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