B-Side Guys

HAPPIE’s “Real Love EP,” released on August 15, 2024, is a 16-minute exploration of love in its myriad forms. This four-track collection showcases the artist’s evolution from her indie folk roots to a more expansive indie-pop sound, all while maintaining the emotional depth that has become her hallmark.

The EP opens with “Close,” delving into the complexities of emotional intimacy. HAPPIE’s vocals here are particularly impressive, conveying vulnerability and strength in equal measure. The track’s build from a sparse verse to a lush chorus mirrors the journey of opening oneself up to another person. It’s a song that rewards repeated listens, revealing new layers of meaning with each spin.

The title track, “Real Love,” follows, standing as the collection’s centerpiece. This song synthesizes the EP’s themes, presenting a mature and nuanced view of love. HAPPIE’s vocals soar over a rich instrumental backdrop that blends acoustic and electronic elements seamlessly. The chorus, with its declaration “This is real love,” feels like both a revelation and a new beginning, setting the tone for the rest of the EP.

“Easy” offers a change of pace with its more upbeat tempo. Here, HAPPIE explores the lighter side of love, her lyrics capturing the giddy excitement of a new relationship. The production on this track leans more heavily into electronic elements, creating a sound that wouldn’t be out of place on mainstream radio while still maintaining HAPPIE’s unique artistic voice.

The EP closes with “Shooting Star,” a poignant tribute to HAPPIE’s father that provides a fitting conclusion to the collection. The track’s gentle instrumentation provides a perfect backdrop for HAPPIE’s emotive vocals, allowing her lyrics to shine. Lines like “You’ve always been my guiding light” resonate with universal themes of parental love and guidance, while still feeling deeply personal. Ending the EP with this track brings the exploration of love full circle, from romantic relationships to the foundational love of family.

Throughout the “Real Love EP,” HAPPIE demonstrates significant growth as both a songwriter and a vocalist. Her lyrics strike a balance between specificity and universality, allowing listeners to find their own stories within her words. Vocally, she navigates a range of emotions with ease, from the joyous release of “Easy” to the tender vulnerability of “Shooting Star.”

The production on the EP deserves special mention. Each track feels carefully crafted to support HAPPIE’s vocals and enhance the emotional impact of her lyrics. The blend of organic instrumentation and electronic elements creates a sound that’s contemporary yet timeless, appealing to fans of both indie folk and modern pop.

What sets the “Real Love EP” apart is its cohesiveness. Despite exploring different aspects of love and connection, the four tracks feel like parts of a larger whole. There’s a narrative arc to the EP, moving from the complexities of romantic relationships to a broader understanding of what real love means, culminating in the celebration of familial love.

HAPPIE’s background as a cantor in a Reform Jewish congregation brings a unique perspective to her music. While not overtly religious, there’s a spiritual quality to her songwriting that adds depth to her explorations of love and identity. This is particularly evident in “Shooting Star,” where the reverence she holds for her father takes on an almost sacred quality.

Comparisons to artists like Maggie Rogers and Lana Del Rey are apt, but HAPPIE carves out her own distinct niche with this EP. Her sound is less ethereal than Rogers’, more grounded in personal narrative, while eschewing the moody aesthetics of Del Rey in favor of a more hopeful outlook.

At just 16 minutes, the “Real Love EP” leaves listeners wanting more, which speaks to its quality. Each track feels essential, with no filler to dilute the EP’s impact. It’s a testament to HAPPIE’s artistic vision that she can cover so much emotional ground in such a concise package.

As a follow-up to her debut EP “Heartbreak Season,” the “Real Love EP” shows significant artistic growth. While her earlier work focused on independence and the aftermath of romantic relationships, this new collection presents a more rounded view of love in all its forms. It’s the sound of an artist coming into her own, confident in her voice and her message.

The “Real Love EP” serves as both a satisfying listening experience in its own right and a tantalizing preview of what HAPPIE might be capable of on a full-length album. It’s a collection that invites repeated listens, each spin revealing new nuances in the songwriting and production. For fans of emotionally resonant indie-pop, HAPPIE’s “Real Love EP” is a must-listen, heralding the arrival of a significant new voice in the genre.