SZNZ: Winter

SZNZ: Winter
EP by Weezer
Released	December 21, 2022 (2022-12-21)
Genre	Power pop [1] pop rock [2]
Length	21:35
Label	Atlantic Crush
Producer	James Flannigan
Weezer chronology
SZNZ: Autumn (2022) SZNZ: Winter (2022)
Singles from SZNZ: Winter
"I Want a Dog" Released: December 9, 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

SZNZ: Winter ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Blabbermouth.net	8/10 [2]
Exclaim!	6/10 [9]
Gigwise	[10]
Riff Magazine	7/10 [11]
Under the Radar	[12]

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." ^[12]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Rivers Cuomo.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"I Want a Dog"	2:49
2.	"Iambic Pentameter"	3:52
3.	"Basketball"	2:47
4.	"Sheraton Commander"	2:04
5.	"Dark Enough to See the Stars"	2:37
6.	"The One That Got Away"	2:52
7.	"The Deep and Dreamless Sleep"	4:36
Total length:		21:35

Vinyl-exclusive bonus track

No.	Title	Length
7.	"Why Don't You Get Me [a] "	3:10

Notes

1. The vinyl version puts track 7 "The Deep and Dreamless Sleep" as track 8 on the tracklist.

Personnel

Weezer

• Rivers Cuomo – lead vocals, backing vocals, guitars, production
• Brian Bell – guitars, backing vocals
• Patrick Wilson – drums
• Scott Shriner – bass guitar, backing vocals

Additional musicians

• Max Bernstein – music direction
• Jonathan Dreyfus – banjo, cello, double bass, harmonium, harpsichord, Mellotron, orchestral arrangement, theremin, viola, violin
• Amy Andersen – backing vocals
• Jean-Louise Parker – backing vocals, viola, violin
• Harry Cooper – clarinet
• Jonathan Leahy – string arrangement
• Kelly O'Donohue – trumpet
• Jake Sinclair – additional vocals, synthesizer (track 1)
• Efe Cakar – additional guitar (2)
• Suzy Shinn – additional vocals (3)

Technical

• James Flannigan – production
• Suzy Shinn – production
• Emily Lazar – mastering
• Chris Dugan – mixing
• Jonathan Dreyfus – engineering, recording
• Ivan Wayman – engineering
• Jason Hiller – engineering
• Kevin Smith – engineering
• Jean-Louise Parker – recording
• Alex Parker – engineering assistance
• Alissa Laymac – engineering assistance
• Bella Corich – engineering assistance
• Peter Hanaman – engineering assistance
• Tori Newberry – engineering assistance
• Mike Fasano – drum technician
• Patrick Lehman – guitar technician

Charts

Chart performance for SZNZ: Winter

Chart (2023)	Peak position
Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ) [13]	38
Japanese Hot Albums ( Billboard Japan ) [14]	97
Scottish Albums (OCC) [15]	92
UK Physical Albums (OCC) [16]	89
UK Sales Albums (OCC) [17]	96

References

1. 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.
2. Erikson, Anne. "WEEZER SZNZ: Winter". Blabbermouth. Retrieved December 21, 2022. …writing songs with an adolescent outlook and guitar-driven, pop-rock approach.
3. "weezer: SZNZ - Google Sheets". June 4, 2022. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
4. Richard Bienstock (February 3, 2021). "Weezer have four – yes, four – new albums in the works". guitarworld. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
5. Miller, Jeff (September 20, 2022). "Weezer Teases 'SZNZ: Winter' Album at Secret Club Show in Los Angeles". Variety. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
6. Kreps, Daniel (December 9, 2022). "Weezer Pine for Canine Companionship on New Song "I Want a Dog"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
7. Jones, Abby (December 16, 2022). "Weezer Ring in Winter with "I Want a Dog" on Kimmel". Consequence. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
8. "Watch: Weezer release new 'SZNZ' EP, 'Dark Enough to See the Stars' video". MSN. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
9. Hudson, Alex (December 22, 2022). "Weezer Retain Glimmers of Greatness on 'SZNZ: Winter'". Exclaim! . Retrieved December 24, 2022.
10. Wilson, Rob (January 4, 2023). "Album Review: Weezer - SZNZ: Winter". Gigwise. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
11. Gill, David (December 19, 2022). "REVIEW: Weezer gives us closure on 'SZNZ: Winter'". Riff Magazine. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
12. Dalarossa, Michelle (January 5, 2023). "Weezer SZNZ: Winter". Under the Radar. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
13. "Album Top 40 slágerlista (fizikai hanghordozók) – 2023. 49. hét". MAHASZ . Retrieved December 14, 2023.
14. "Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2023/02/15 公開". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved February 15, 2023.
15. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
16. "Official Physical Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company . Retrieved February 17, 2023.
17. "Official Albums Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company . Retrieved February 17, 2023.