TAKING BACK SUNDAY// Happiness Is

Happiness Is

(Hopeless Records)

Sighhhhhh. Taking Back Sunday’s sixth studio record is a collection of four-minute stories addressing aspects of happiness that curve gracefully and with ease. Frankly, it’s easy listening. No one is yelling at you, that’s nice. Adam Lazarra knows. He gets you, right deep down with a little push of “Let’s turn that frown upside down, shall we?” Hardly the expected heartbreak album that touches on jilted acquaintances/friends/anyone/personal demons and past exes. The concept of happiness is intimate and softly forwarded through Flicker/Fade, the song breezing softly rather than storming. While Beat up Car is strong in its intent but mild in its delivery. Carefree and effortless, it’s all a little conventional but somewhere in the world, there’s an emo kid who’s flicked their fringe to the side, cracked a smile and finally applied a little ‘don’t worry, be happy’ into their self-perpetuated misery. Hey, that’s me. Cheer up buttercup.

For fans of: The Wonder Years, Bob Marley, rainbows and sunshine.