Rett Smith – “Better Day”

SXSW 2023 – OEB Score 8, Popularity Index 6

Pairs well with…Monk Parker, Black Angels, Leonard Cohen 

See Rett Smith sing “Better Day,” and if the song doesn’t cut you to core, I will buy you a beer. “Like many of Smith’s songs, “Better Day” is a confessional to a broken romance. He sings in a compelling hushed and raspy baritone, but it’s his poetic lyrics that hit hard and stick. “Your kiss leaves a scar on my face wanting more,” and then, “Your dress left a trail from my heart to the floor.”   While “Better Day” is the gem, he’s got a few more in this vein worth hearing, including two duets with Jessica Lee Mayfield, “The Hook” and “I’ll Still Stay.” Earlier in his musical career, Smith leaned more into hard edged blues and psychedelic guitar riffs, with the lyrics taking more of a back seat.  His most recent 4-song EP, Americana Drugs, has a bit both, suggesting that Smith is working towards a balance of brooding leaden solemnity with erupting guitar solos.  Thus, a Rett Smith set has the potential to both rock out and leave some crying in the their beer.  If you are one of the later, I’ll still buy you a round, even if you agree with me about “Better Day.” (David Zlotnick)