| Artist | Weezer |
|---|---|
| Cover | Weezer - SZNZ, Winter album cover.jpg |
| Released | December 21, 2022 |
| Studio |
|
| Genre | |
| Length | 21:35 |
| Label | |
| Producer | |
| Prev year | 2022 |
| Year | 2022 |
SZNZ: Winter is the tenth EP by American rock band Weezer, and the last of four EPs in their SZNZ (pronounced "seasons") project. It was released digitally on December 21, 2022, coinciding with the December solstice. It spawned a single, "I Want a Dog", released on December 9, 2022.
Background
Rivers Cuomo described the project's overall emotion as sadness. Cuomo said that the songwriting would be stylistically similar to Elliott Smith featuring "lots of loss and despair".[3][4]
Weezer, under their Goat Punishment pseudonym, performed SZNZ: Winter in its entirety at The Troubadour in West Hollywood, California on September 19, 2022.[5]
Release
The lead single, "I Want a Dog", was released on December 9, 2022,[6] with a live performance of the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on December 16, 2022.[7]
SZNZ: Winter officially released on December 21, 2022, alongside a video for "Dark Enough to See the Stars".[8]
Critical reception
Anne Erikson at Blabbermouth.net opined that the album "proves" that Weezer "can still churn out music that's as strong as their mid-1990s debut."[2] However, Michelle Dalarossa from Under the Radar was more critical of the album, stating "Unfortunately, the combination of Christmas kitsch and Weezer kitsch makes for a grating mishmash of tackiness, angst, and blown-out fuzz that ultimately falls flat." Nonetheless, Dalarossa notes instances of "knack for ear worm vocal melodies and exhilarating power-pop guitar riffs glimmer."[9]
Track listing
Notes
Personnel
Weezer
Additional musicians
- Jonathan Dreyfus – violin, viola, cello, double bass, orchestral arrangement, banjo, harmonium, harpsichord, Mellotron, theremin
- Jean-Louise Parker – violin, viola, recorder, backing vocals
- Max Bernstein – music direction
- Jonathan Leahy – string arrangement
- Amy Andersen – backing vocals
- Harry Cooper – clarinet
- Kelly O'Donohue – trumpet
- Jake Sinclair – additional vocals and synthesizer on "I Want a Dog"
- Efe Cakar – additional guitar on "Iambic Pentameter"
- Suzy Shinn – additional vocals on "Basketball"
Technical
- Suzy Shinn – production
- James Flannigan – production
- Rivers Cuomo – production
- Emily Lazar – mastering
- Chris Dugan – mixing
- Ivan Wayman – engineering
- Kevin Smith – engineering
- Jason Hiller – engineering
- Jonathan Dreyfus – engineering
- Peter Hanaman – engineering assistance
- Alissa Laymac – engineering assistance
- Alex Parker – engineering assistance
- Tori Newberry – engineering assistance
- Bella Corich – engineering assistance
- Matthew Harris – engineering assistance on "Basketball"
- Mike Fasano – drum technician
- Patrick Lehman – guitar technician
- Tension Division – art direction, design
Charts
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ)[10] | 38 |
| Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[11] | 97 |
| UK Physical Albums (OCC)[12] | 89 |
| UK Sales Albums (OCC)[13] | 96 |
References
- ^ Robinson, Ellie (December 21, 2022). "Weezer drop fourth and final 'SZNZ' EP, 'Winter'". NME. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
...the record's bulk comprising the angular power-pop sound that Weezer are synonymous with.
- ^ Erikson, Anne. "WEEZER SZNZ: Winter". Blabbermouth. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
…writing songs with an adolescent outlook and guitar-driven, pop-rock approach.
- ^ "weezer: SZNZ - Google Sheets". 2022-06-04. Archived 2022-06-04 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
- ^ Richard Bienstock (2021-02-03). "Weezer have four – yes, four – new albums in the works". guitarworld. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
- ^ Miller, Jeff (2022-09-20). "Weezer Teases 'SZNZ: Winter' Album at Secret Club Show in Los Angeles". Variety. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
- ^ Kreps, Daniel (December 9, 2022). "Weezer Pine for Canine Companionship on New Song "I Want a Dog"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ Jones, Abby (December 16, 2022). "Weezer Ring in Winter with "I Want a Dog" on Kimmel". Consequence. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ "Watch: Weezer release new 'SZNZ' EP, 'Dark Enough to See the Stars' video". MSN. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
- ^ Dalarossa, Michelle (January 5, 2023). "Weezer SZNZ: Winter". Under the Radar. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista (fizikai hanghordozók) – 2023. 49. hét". MAHASZ. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2023/02/15 公開" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
- ^ "Official Physical Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
- ^ "Official Albums Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 17, 2023.