Cullen Omori

Cullen Omori, a vocalist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, approaches indie pop from a singular angle through atmospheric songs that merge dark tones with strong melodies. Once the flashy rock band the Smith Westerns disbanded, he launched a solo career that first veered into moody indie pop on the 2016 album New Misery before shifting toward a broader, more varied sound on 2018’s The Diet.

Omori helped establish the Chicago-based Smith Westerns in 2007, and the group achieved indie prominence with their 2011 album Dye It Blonde. The 2013 release Soft Will, however, drew muted reactions from listeners and critics alike, and creative disagreements ultimately dissolved the lineup in late 2014. Still a high-school student at the time of the band’s formation, Omori felt the breakup deeply. He accepted hospital work and resumed developing songs begun before the split. Alongside musician Adam Gil, he captured lo-fi versions of the material, a calmer direction than the Smith Westerns’ garage-glam blend.

Sub Pop then signed Omori, who recorded his debut with producer Shane Stoneback. New Misery appeared on March 18, 2016, after which Omori toured the United States. The period following its release brought upheaval: a serious auto accident, the end of a relationship, and a move from Chicago to Los Angeles. These events shaped the songwriting on his second solo album, The Diet, recorded in 2018 with a larger ensemble of musicians and producer Taylor Locke.