B-Side Guys

In a world increasingly bereft of genuine human connection, the members of New Hampshire indie outfit Happy Just to See You are here to remind us that there’s still ample reason to feel joyful. On their energetic new single “Jelly Spine – Pop Song,” the band crafts a raucous, emo-inflected anthem to the life-affirming power of loving relationships.

The track is described as “an energetic celebration of people in your life that make life worth living” – whether those bonds are romantic or platonic. It’s a big-hearted, hook-filled riposte to the disaffection and isolation that often characterize modern existence.

Musically, Happy Just to See You blends their folk and country leanings with a potent strain of Wilco-esque indie rock crunch. Jagged guitars, pummeling rhythms, and swelling orchestral flourishes coalesce into a sound that’s equal parts cathartic and euphoric. It’s the aural equivalent of leaping headfirst into a sweaty, cathartic mosh pit – all the while clinging to your nearest and dearest.

And the lyrics match that kinetic energy, as vocalist/guitarist Andrew Horan delivers impassioned odes to the people who make his world brighter. “You are the jelly to my spine/The thing that keeps me alive,” he bellows, his voice cracking with emotion. It’s a disarmingly vulnerable declaration that cuts through the track’s frenetic riffs and pounding drums, laying bare the raw vulnerability at the heart of even the most raucous emo-tinged indie rock.

Yet for all its unabashed emotionalism, “Jelly Spine – Pop Song” never veers into maudlin territory. There’s an irrepressible, playful quality to Happy Just to See You’s songwriting that keeps the track from sinking into self-pity or despair. Even as Horan reckons with the darker realities of modern isolation, he steadfastly maintains an underlying sense of hope, gratitude, and – yes – genuine joy.

Ultimately, “Jelly Spine” stands as a testament to the life-sustaining power of interpersonal connection. In an era where so much of our interaction is mediated through cold, impersonal digital interfaces, this song is a rallying cry to rediscover the irreplaceable magic of real human bonds. It’s the sound of a band declaring, “Screw your anomie – I’ve got my people, and that’s all that matters.”

So the next time you find yourself feeling unmoored and alone, just queue up Happy Just to See You’s “Jelly Spine – Pop Song.” It might just be the jelly to your spine you didn’t know you were missing.

---

If you liked this track, check out this album: