Sam Gelston Finds Beauty In The Broken On New Album ‘See Through Now’

There is something quietly fearless about See Through Now, the latest album from Boston songwriter Sam Gelston. Entirely written, performed, and recorded in his bedroom, the nine track collection refuses to disguise its imperfections, instead treating every crack in the performance as another layer of emotional truth. It is an approach that feels increasingly rare in an era of polished playlists and algorithmic precision.

Gelston’s songwriting exists somewhere between alternative rock, lo-fi folk, and confessional indie, recalling the intimate vulnerability of Elliott Smith while embracing the melodic instincts of Big Star and the emotional reach of Jeff Buckley. Rather than leaning on nostalgia, however, he uses those touchstones as a foundation for something unmistakably his own. Every song feels lived in, shaped by uncertainty, humour, and an unwavering desire to remain authentic.

The album opens with the brilliantly titled “I’m Coming to LA to Kill You,” transforming what first appears to be a shocking statement into an affectionate and darkly funny ode to long distance friendship. From there, See Through Now shifts effortlessly between emotional registers. “Who You Are” examines loneliness within intimacy, while “IDKY” explores reconciliation with striking honesty. Even the heavier moments carry an understated warmth that prevents the record from becoming consumed by its own weight.

One of the album’s defining strengths lies in its willingness to preserve spontaneity. Vocal imperfections, loose performances, and rough production become part of the storytelling rather than distractions from it. That philosophy reaches its most devastating point on “Make It Make Sense,” recorded directly from an iPhone demo after Gelston received a diagnosis of kidney failure. The performance captures a fleeting emotional reality that could never have been recreated inside a traditional studio environment.

With See Through Now, Sam Gelston delivers a collection that embraces contradiction without ever losing focus. Funny yet devastating, fragile yet quietly resilient, it presents an artist willing to let listeners see every imperfect detail. The result is an album that feels remarkably human from beginning to end.

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