Slightly Different Reality is the third album from Pittsburgh-based act Maverick Smith. What’s special about this record is that it is messy in a good way, and packed with songs that are genuine and make you feel something.
From the very get-go, “Waste of Time” kicks things off with a bright, punchy energy that feels intoxicating. The track has a pop-rock vibe that brings to mind classics like Dreams by The Cranberries while still sounding very much their own. But the album gets more interesting because Maverick Smith refuses to stay in one box for too long.
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“Pain on a Record” pulls everything back with stripped acoustic textures and softer percussion, sounding like the background music to a scene where someone is sitting alone after a party finally ends. Then comes “Over the Edge,” which has its own indie folk-rock moment in the album where Paige Bosic’s vocals really get to shine. The song feels like it came straight off of Fleetwood Mac’s discography with dreamy, melodic vocals and slide guitar phrases that pull you into a trance.
One of the coolest things about Slightly Different Reality is the natural transition between styles. “Shades of Memories,” featuring Ken Stringfellow, is a sharper pop-punk track with an edge that’s hard to miss. “Doomsday” gets a little eccentric with subtle art-rock touches that give the record some unpredictability and depth. I love how this also keeps the sound from being one-dimensional.
“Make My Bed” is more blues-rock oriented. You can almost feel the jangly guitars and edgy vocals in your bones. “In Your Dreams” continues with this vibe and plays with soft and louder dynamics in a very tasteful way. And “Redeem Yourself” is more chill with soft guitars and softer vocals that would rather whisper than shout. This track gives me very Daughter vibes. “Hurts and Saves” brings back the arena-rock, The Killers and The Cranberries-inspired sound once again, with vocal harmonies standing out in the overall mix.
The album ends with a cover of Daniel Johnston’s “Life in Vain,” and honestly, it feels like the best ending this album could possibly get. It’s warm, slightly awkward, and very human. Kind of like the album itself.
Slightly Different Reality works because it never sounds like Maverick Smith are chasing trends or trying to force a big artistic statement. The record feels lived in. It feels like they understand that growing up means carrying all kinds of moods at once.
And somehow, Maverick Smith make that confusion sound pretty great.
Listen To the Full Album Here:
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