“There’s a sense of hopefulness that threads its way through this record,” says Semisonic frontman Dan Wilson. “I was trying to find some optimism for myself, and I think it just naturally worked its way into these songs.” On Little Bit Of Sun, Semisonic’s first album in more than 20 years, that hopeful spirit shines through. Recorded in the trio’s native Minneapolis and featuring guests including Jason Isbell and Jim James, the collection offers a deeply moving reflection on growth, gratitude, and commitment in the face of change and uncertainty. The songs walk a tightrope between power pop muscle and acoustic intimacy, and bassist John Munson and drummer Jacob Slichter’s performances are finely tuned to match, infusing Wilson’s bright, buoyant melodies with touches of melancholy and darkness. While it would be easy for a band like Semisonic—who defined an entire decade of rock and roll with their chart topping hit, “Closing Time”—to revel in nostalgia, Little Bit Of Sun instead looks to the past with appreciation rather than longing, pairing a profound thankfulness for the journey with an infectious excitement for all that’s still to come. “We’ve always been an earnest band,” says Wilson, now a GRAMMY-wining writer/producer known for his work with Adele, Taylor Swift, The Chicks, and countless others. “There’s something particular to our music that’s really pure, that has this light that glows from within.” On Little Bit Of Sun, that light glows brighter than ever.