Smell the Magic is the second studio album by American rock band L7, released in 1990 by Sub Pop.

[9] Originally issued as a 12" EP containing only the first six songs, it was reissued on CD in July 1991, expanded to album length with three more tracks: "Packin' a Rod," "Just Like Me," and "American Society."

The Encyclopedia of Popular Music called the album "a raucous, grunge-flavored blast.

"[6] Trouser Press wrote that "L7 still brings the noise, but with a melodicism that isn’t as evident on the first album.

Likewise, the article mentions L7's formation out of Los Angeles' metal scene, then acting as a crossover act, and states conclusively that Smell the Magic is one of the "most widely cited as an inspiration by the next wave of punk and riot grrrl bands".