A Closer Listen
We all need happy music: music to lift our moods, raise our spirits and distract us from our problems. These ten albums provide a wide range of panaceas, from peaceful reassurance to high-energy cheer.
Happy artists don’t ignore the world’s condition; instead, they acknowledge the need for balance. Optimism and positivity are in short supply right now, which makes this music even more valuable. While not by design, each of this year’s entries also rests in or touches on the field of electronic music. There’s an irony to the reassurance of machines, while the human spirit continues to shine through. We hope The Happiest Music of the Year brings a smile to your face and joy to your step!
Catching Flies ~ Tides (Indigo Soul)
One of the album’s finest features is its flexibility. George King (Catching Flies) travels through multiple genres (ambient, electronic, modern composition) while referencing multiple seasons. The music is suited for both clubs and home listening. Even the vinyl is clear, taking on the color of whatever lies behind it. As “GLY” proclaims, “I’m gonna love you come rain, come shine.”
Original Review
Dalot ~ Aquarium (Same Difference Music)
This ebullient score to a dance performance for children was written by our very own Dalot, who references video games, Greek TV shows of the 80s and 90s while chronicling the life of a lionfish in an aquarium. The music sounds like a playroom occupied by child and parent, suffused with a sense of wonder and discovery.
Original Review
Funken ~ Daniel dans la nuit (Un je-ne-sais-quoi)
We wonder if the precocious little squid of this book and score would be friends with the lionfish above; we suspect they are kindred spirits. This perky electronic release bubbles with the energy of a child who can’t sleep, and after a series of playful adventures, arrives at a happy ending.
Original Review
galen Tipton & Holly Waxwing ~ keepsakeFM (Orange Milk)
Part of “the new generation of Orange Milk favorites,” galen tipton and Holly Waxwing team up with multiple guest stars to produce this collection that works as a mixtape, with tracks flowing together like a DJ set. The energy never flags, and the music is tailor made to lift the spirit and move the feet.
Original Review
headtriiip ~ the songbird who loves me (Self-Released)
Squeezing 17 tracks into just over half an hour, headtriiip offers a cornucopia of samples and influences. Along the way, the artist references deer antlers, beavers and bugs; even Kermit the Frog makes an appearance. The mix is a whole lot of fun, packed with multiple points of entry. When it’s over, one wants to play it again immediately to see what one has missed.
Original Review
Jónsi ~ First Light (Lakeshore Records/Myndstream)
First Light began as a video game soundtrack, and developed into an uplifting album. The Sigur Rós frontman shares a vision of a ““fantastical, over-the-top, utopian world where everyone and everything lives together in everlasting peace and harmony.” The dream may seem idealistic, but we need all the optimism we can get right now.
Original Review
Nick Tripi ~ Loud World (Self-Released)
Just look at those superheroes, monsters and villains! This debut album is fun from the get-go. With track titles like “Klonk” and “Plomp,” styles ranging from library music to surf rock, and a wide variety of tempos, Loud World is a comic book splash page come to life.
Original Review
Socks and Ballerinas ~ A Bit Jumpy. (Self-Released)
This duo doesn’t just sound fun, they are also having fun, as witnessed in their videos. Their fuzz and drums approach results in a set of caffeinated tracks that works as well as a venti cappuccino, producing a sense of joy that borders on hyperactivity.
Original Review
Sun ~ I Can See Our House From Here (Alien Transistor)
The Notwist drummer steps out on his own with his first solo album, a bright set packed with chimes, bells and assorted percussion, in a forest where a real monkey play in the trees while a barrel of monkeys clings to the underside of the branch. The banjo and trumpet agree: this is happy to the core.
Original Review
WaqWaq Kingdom ~ Mind Onsen (Phantom Limb)
The hyperkinetic minyo footwork duo WaqWaq Kingdom graced us with a surprise EP this year, representing a distillation of their multicultural sound. Vocalist Kiki Hitomi calls Mind Onsen “a way to rest your brain and get the energy you need for tomorrow;” high tempo mindfulness!
Original Review
Richard Allen
Sat Dec 07 00:01:58 GMT 2024