Happyness - The Brits Take On NYC
Published
Slacker rock is a term frequently used when describing Happyness’ music, but the negative connotations don’t really seem to do the three-piece justice.
It’s the kind of part-scuzzy, part-guitar jangling music that could’ve featured on the original OC soundtrack back in the mid-2000s – its appeal is broad and Happyness’ tracks are remarkably easy to listen to. The down tempo drumming and fuzzy guitars are the perfect backing for the softly whispered vocals, used to sing songs that are as beautifully cynical as they are bizarre. This is something the London-based group have won an NME Award for (2014’s ‘Best Lyrics’), quipping about scalping Arcade Fire’s Win Butler on ‘Montreal Rock Band Somewhere’ and referring to odd sexual encounters during ‘It’s On You’ (“Remember when we broke into the park and you got laid and I watched and you said that was fun?”).
Even with their songs possessing a dry sense of humour that would be considered typically British, the lo-fi grungy music created by Happyness has proven itself popular with an American audience. By the time the band’s US tour was coming to a close in New York, Brooklyn’s Baby’s All Right was still packed to the rafters as the young South Londoners took to the stage for their penultimate show ahead of returning to the UK.
The performance was rough but occasionally polished, with the trio swapping instruments as they showcased tracks from 2014’s brilliant 'Weird Little Birthday'. "Baby, Jesus (Jelly Baby)", "Naked Patients" and the quirkily named "Great Minds Think Alike, All Brains Taste The Same" were standouts, before the aforementioned "Montreal…" brought the half-hour set to a close as the band rolled about onstage with distortion echoing around the dimly-lit venue.
To find out more about Happyness click here.
To visit the Happyness Facebook page click here.
Words by Luke Forshaw
