How the Light Felt

Carefully parsing the nuances of shoegaze, dream pop, and alt rock, the Chicago quintet’s second album amounts to a rigorous study of 1990s guitar sounds.

Taking their cues from the jangle pop of the ’90s, Chicago-based Smut debut with an album that blends subtle hooks with wistful lyrics and layers of reverb that will have you longing for the faded summers of youth.

How The Light Felt by Smut – a warm, reassuring gem of a record from the smartly nostalgic Chicago alternative group