ALBUM REVIEW: Happy Now – Thick
After a fast turnaround from their debut album in 2020, New York trio THICK are releasing their second album Happy Now on Epitaph Records. While mainly falling into the category of pop, there are some fun punk elements that appeal to fans of heavier music. With three vocalists (Nikki Sisti, also on guitar, Kate Black, also on bass, and Shari Page, also on drums) the band explore difficult themes like victim blaming, female expectations and mental health, all while managing to maintain a positive attitude and a mostly upbeat sound.
Opening track Happiness is a fairly strong introduction to the album, capturing the delirious upbeat pop sound that seems to carry throughout. The lyrics, while a little repetitive, are fun and easily memorable. I Wish 2016 Never Happened is more serious in terms of themes, touching on the concept of victim blaming, but keeps the upbeat pop sound which is an interesting tactic. It conveys the idea of trying to stay positive while masking true feelings. Loser, the first released single, introduces more of the album’s punk sound. It’s an uplifting track about feeling inadequate in the music industry and reminds its listeners that it’s okay to mess up. The lyrics of the chorus are slightly basic, but the verses are more interesting and have Riot Grrrl influences which should definitely attract fans of the genre.
Tell Myself is a track with an addictive and memorable chorus, and once again has the feel-good factor which reflects the album title. The next track, Her Chapstick, really stands out, sounding more moody, and the instrumental has possible Midwest Emo influences. The vocals are interesting, sounding slightly monotonous in a way that works well and emphasises the change from the upbeat pop sound. Your Garden is a revenge anthem, but also a celebration of women escaping toxic relationships. While the song itself isn’t the most unique, the lyrics feel cathartic to anybody who can relate to them. This track also introduces some heavier guitars, making it feel a little more alternative.
The next few tracks don’t particularly stand out, however Montreal is perhaps one of the more lyrically interesting offerings, and the intense drums pick up the pace enough to keep the album interesting. It is another moodier song, and it’s possible that the hyper-pop feeling of the album has mainly disappeared by this point. The intro of Wants & Needs is its selling point, with the instruments almost completely suspended to showcase the vocals. This allows listeners to focus on the lyrics, which are a deep dive into an existential crisis. Maybe Tomorrow is another track that approaches the topic of mental health, but still manages to be uplifting despite its depressing subject matter. Strangely, the song feels too short, as if it’s been cut off early and is missing something.
Interestingly, Happy Now seems to have saved its best songs till last. Disappear is a surefire favourite as it’s very different, with the vocals seeming to be more speaking than singing. The lyrics are poetic, building up almost to screams. They are raw, conveying the desperate feeling that comes with mental illness. This seems to be where the title becomes ironic, but it has a release of emotions that feels like a relief. The last song Something Went Wrong is a strong end to the album, seeming to be heavier than anything else. The drums build up to the chorus, which is relatively catchy, and the album closes leaving listeners wanting more.
After a slightly slow start, Happy Now is an enjoyable listen. Although maybe not for everyone, it feels as if it gets more musically interesting as it goes on, and is absolutely worth listening the whole way through to get the full experience and understanding of the band. Where lyrics are, at times, repetitive and slightly basic, they can also be beautiful and catchy, which seem to balance out. Generally, the hype behind THICK is understandable and well deserved.
Rating: 7/10
Happy Now is set for release on August 19th via Epitaph Records.
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