Boston songwriter Sam Gelston returns with See Through Now, a striking collection of lo-fi alternative songs that values emotional authenticity above technical perfection. Recorded entirely in his bedroom, the album wears its imperfections proudly, offering nine tracks that feel immediate, vulnerable, and refreshingly free from unnecessary polish.
Gelston’s musical background as a drummer continues to shape his songwriting, lending an organic momentum to arrangements that remain deceptively simple. Influences from Elliott Smith, Big Star, and Jeff Buckley are evident without ever overwhelming his own identity, allowing the record to balance melodic warmth with understated experimentation.
There is a welcome unpredictability running through the album. “I’m Coming to LA to Kill You” immediately establishes Gelston’s taste for dark humour before giving way to more reflective moments across songs like “Who You Are,” “Car Ride,” and “Meet Me Downtown.” Themes of mental health, fractured relationships, mortality, and personal growth are explored with refreshing directness, avoiding melodrama in favour of quiet honesty.
The decision to preserve rough vocal takes and spontaneous performances proves essential to the album’s character. Rather than distracting from the songs, these imperfections reinforce their emotional impact. Nowhere is that clearer than on “Make It Make Sense,” recorded from the original iPhone demo after Gelston learned of his kidney failure diagnosis. The performance carries a sense of urgency that polished production could never replicate.
See Through Now is a thoughtful reminder that compelling songwriting rarely depends on perfection. Sam Gelston has created an album rooted in vulnerability, resilience, and the strange beauty of everyday existence, resulting in a record that feels deeply personal while remaining instantly relatable.
