Released: 2022

Genres: Alternative Rock, Power Pop

The Musiquarium’s SZNZ: Winter Review Score: 6.5 out of 10

Released on the December solstice, Weezer’s fourth and final instalment of their seasonal EPs focuses on winter and themes of sadness, loss, and despair, though it never reaches the emotional lows of Elliott Smith (whose music Rivers Cuomo had compared the EP to).

I Want a Dog might pull on the heartstrings of dog lovers, but the lyrics are just too tacky, though musically it’s one of the best songs from the SZNZ EPs. Iambic Pentameter is one of the most adventurous SZNZ songs yet. Sheraton Commander is mostly all strings, with a marching band beat. The lyrics to Basketball are incredibly cheesy, but at least the music is dynamic enough, switching between distorted and acoustic guitars. The One That Got Away almost evokes vintage Weezer (so close!). The Deep and Dreamless Sleep has some of Rivers Cuomo’s most impressive guitar work in some time, and is what Van Weezer should have sounded like.

It looks like Weezer saved the best for last, as SZNZ: Winter is easily the best of the SZNZ EPs, providing hope that Weezer still has it in them to craft another great album someday.

For credit breakdowns and historic release details, view Weezer on Discogs.

Back to the 2022 Album Guide or the Weezer Reviews page.

Written by Brett Nippard