You're Not Alone (Semisonic EP)
You're Not Alone is an EP by rock band Semisonic. Released on September 18, 2020, it is the band’s first collection of new material in 19 years following their hiatus after touring 2001's All About Chemistry. The EP was preceded by the release of its title track on June 26, 2020.[1]
| You're Not Alone | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| EP by | ||||
| Released | September 18, 2020 | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock | |||
| Length | 15:42 | |||
| Label | Pleasuresonic Recordings | |||
| Producer | Dan Wilson | |||
| Semisonic chronology | ||||
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Background
Though largely inactive since 2001, Semisonic never broke up and over the years would still get together to play occasional shows that usually took place in their hometown of Minneapolis. However, despite lead singer and main songwriter Dan Wilson's successful career as a songwriter and producer for the likes of Dixie Chicks and Adele and as a solo artist, he found it difficult to write new material that sounded like Semisonic.[2]
It was when he met Liam Gallagher in 2017 with the prospect of writing songs for the former Oasis and Beady Eye singer that Wilson found inspiration for Semisonic again. Though ultimately he and Gallagher did not work together, Wilson felt that the songs he set out to write for Gallagher were more suitable for Semisonic instead. Over the next two years, Wilson’s bandmates John Munson and Jacob Slichter would record the new material during a couple of sessions at his house in Los Angeles.[2][3]
In July 2019, Semisonic gave live debuts to the new songs "You’re Not Alone", "Basement Tapes" and "All It Would Take" at two shows they played in Milwaukee and Minneapolis. In between those two dates, the band also recorded the songs in a live session for Minnesota Public Radio's The Current.[4] By the end of the year, Semisonic had finished mixing their new EP.[3]
Critical reception
Gwen Inhat of The A. V. Club called out the release as one of five the outlet loved for the week with the songwriting and vocal performances noted as strong.[5]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "You’re Not Alone" | Dan Wilson | 3:20 |
| 2. | "All It Would Take" | Wilson | 2:58 |
| 3. | "Basement Tapes" | Wilson Jenny Owen Youngs Mike Viola | 3:32 |
| 4. | "Don’t Make Up Your Mind" | Wilson Youngs Viola | 2:52 |
| 5. | "Lightning" | Wilson Richard Walters | 3:00 |
References
- Rettig, James (June 26, 2020). "Semisonic – 'You're Not Alone'". Stereogum. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- Riemenschneider, Chris (July 11, 2001). "Dan Wilson is loving California but feeling Minnesotan as his old band Semisonic returns". Star Tribune. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- Riley, Jill (June 25, 2020). "Dan Wilson talks about new single from Semisonic, 'You're Not Alone'". The Current. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- Lucia, Mary (July 19, 2019). "Semisonic perform three unreleased songs live in The Current studio". The Current. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- Inhat, Gwen (September 18, 2020). "5 New Releases We Love: Janelle Monáe's Musical Manifesto, Semisonic's Return, and More". The A. V. Club. Retrieved September 18, 2020.