Simple, Sweet, and Smiling

Last updated

Simple, Sweet, and Smiling
Kacy Hill - Simple, Sweet, and Smiling.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 15, 2021 (2021-10-15)
Recorded2020–July 2021
Genre Indie pop
Length33:37
Label Self-released
Producer
Kacy Hill chronology
Just Circling Back Here: Is It Selfish If We Talk About Me Again (Remixes)
(2020)
Simple, Sweet, and Smiling
(2021)
Bug
(2024)
Singles from Simple, Sweet, and Smiling
  1. "Seasons Bloom"
    Released: August 27, 2021
  2. "Easy Going"
    Released: September 24, 2021
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Pitchfork 7.0/10 [1]
PopMatters 8/10 [2]

Simple, Sweet, and Smiling is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Kacy Hill. It was released independently on October 15, 2021. [3] It was preceded by the singles "Seasons Bloom", and "Easy Going". The album was made primarily in collaboration with her then-partner Jim-E Stack, and John Carroll Kirby, collaborating also with Eli Teplin, Ariel Rechtshaid, Mk.gee, and Ethan Gruska.

Contents

Background and release

Hill released two singles in support of the album: "Seasons Bloom" on August 27, 2021, [4] and "Easy Going" on September 24, 2021. [5] She released a music video for "Easy Going" on October 27, 2021. [6]

Hill embarked on her first headlining tour, the Simple, Sweet and Selfish Tour, in support of the album, as well as its predecessor.

Similarly to her previous 2020 record, Is It Selfish If We Talk About Me Again , the album documents Hill working through feelings of powerlessness and agoraphobic panic disorder, as well as acknowledging gratefulness towards her loved ones, and moments of clarity. [7] [1]

In late February 2022, Hill unveiled a demo album available for consumption via the NFT-based music platform, Catalog. [8]

Critical reception

Peter Piatkowski of PopMatters praised the album for "Hill’s sharp, forthright lyrics and the lovely soundscape she’s created with her producers work to make an incredible album of stirring pop tunes that display an artist’s emotional vulnerability – and the strength she possesses to share it." [2] Writing for Pitchfork, Cat Zhang wrote that the album was charming despite its heavy themes. [1]

Track listing

Simple, Sweet, and Smiling track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."I Couldn't Wait"
2:37
2."Seasons Bloom"
  • Rechtshaid
  • Jim-E Stack
  • Hill
3:28
3."The Right Time"
  • Hill
  • Kirby
  • Kirby
  • Jim-E Stack
  • Hill
3:01
4."Simple, Sweet, and Smiling"
  • Hill
  • Kirby
4:06
5."Walking at Midnight"
  • Hill
  • Kirby
  • Kirby
  • Jim-E Stack
  • Hill
3:23
6."So Loud"
  • Hill
  • Teplin
  • Kirby
  • Jim-E Stack
  • Hill
3:11
7."Caterpillars"
  • Hill
  • Kirby
  • Jim-E Stack
  • Hill
3:22
8."Mochi's Interlude"
  • Hill
  • Teplin
  • Jim-E Stack
  • Hill
1:27
9."Easy Going"
  • Hill
  • Ethan Gruska
  • Stack
  • Jim-E Stack
  • Gruska
  • Hill
2:42
10."The Stars"
  • Kirby
  • Jim-E Stack
  • Hill
2:52
11."Another You"
  • Hill
  • Kirby
  • Kirby
  • Jim-E Stack
  • Hill
3:38
Total length:33:51

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Zhang, Cat (October 20, 2021). "Kacy Hill: Simple, Sweet, and Smiling Album Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  2. 1 2 Piatkowski, Pete (November 9, 2021). "Kacy Hill: Simple, Sweet, and Smiling (Album Review)". PopMatters. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  3. Tauer, Kristen (October 15, 2021). "Kacy Hill Is Independent On Her Own Terms". WWD. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  4. Wang, Steffanee (August 27, 2021). "Hear Kacy Hill's New Song "Seasons Bloom" Before Summer Ends". Nylon. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  5. Robles, Jonathan (September 26, 2021). "Kacy Hill's new track 'Easy Going' is just spectacular". Variance Magazine. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  6. D'souza, Shaad (October 27, 2021). "Kacy Hill Gets Nostalgic for "Easy Going" Music Video". Paper Magazine. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  7. "Sacks & Co. /// Kacy Hill". Sacks & Co. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  8. "Simple, Sweet, and Smiling (The Demos)". Catalog. Retrieved March 2, 2022.