Delicately Refined Angst

To be quite honest, when I first downloaded Weird Little Birthday, the cover art immediately reminded me of Mac Demarco. But this is one of the instances when the banal platitude, “don‰’t judge a book by its cover,‰” is exceptionally relevant. Happyness isn‰’t nearly as weird as Mac, but easily just as talented. While we can potentially put them in the dreamy indie rock box, that simply doesn‰’t do the band justice.

The tones in “Baby Jesus (Jelly Boy)‰” on the album are slightly reminiscent of the more mellow side of Explosions in the Sky; the chord progressions in “Orange Luz‰” tie my heart between The Flaming Lips and Soundgarden; the faster, punk-ier vocals in “Anything I Do is All right‰” (even the subtly defiant title) reminds me of Weezer.

You may assume the eclecticism I‰’m describing is poor, a turn-off, a lack of solid, musical identity. However everything about Happyness works harmoniously. Really, these guys are underrated.

RIYL: Explosions in the Sky, Pavement, Weezer

Recommended: 2, 4, 7