Album Review: Happy Hollows Makes You Want To Pack A Bag And Head To “Concordia”
Can we all go to Concordia? That is what I want to know after listening to Happy Hollows’ newest record titled Concordia. It just seems like an Art Punk Narnia, where frustrated youth can design buildings, kingdoms, and coffee-shops according to every lover/dream they wanted but never wanted them back.
Concordia celebrates Happy Hollows’ evolved sonic aesthetic, showcasing analog synth melodies, polyrhythmic drumming, and angular guitars.Happy Hollows’ artistic progression, combines the live dynamism and energy of their early releases with a higher creative sonic palette. In essence, they have grown, and the best way to see someone has developed is by how layered he or she has become in sonic/ spiritual arrangements. Tracks like, “Concordia”, “Astrid”, “On The Wave” are like a giant sandwich of synth-waves; every slice of electric boogaloos placed over the other to give you a feeling of your hair being lit with fire and confetti. There is never a moment when you do not feel a surge of discoing rhythms coursing through this record to make Concordia vibe back in time to the 80’s. Songs like, “Silent Partner”, “Feel The Moon”, and “Wheel of Fortune” hail back to this era in frenetic arrangements but also bubblegum lyrics on dying relationships. Whether a lover has over-stayed, whisked away, or come for a temporary run, the fastness of Happy Hollows; sound seems to be a reflection of the quickness in their relationships. Love seems to be a revolving door at a mall where you can shop for any sound that moves you, but, if you are looking for a soul to do the same, it is all sold-out. To help capture the hopeful helplessness is bohemian, California native Sarah Negahdari,
With producer, instrumentalist Charles Mahoney by her side to zipline a cosmic sound, Negahdari sounds like a wholesome astronaut. As she goes through planets filled with dance clubs, but no semblance of a love life, she sounds like sugar being poured over fruit tarts. She plays with her vocals like Cyndi Lauper; dividing and divining lyrics like emotional waves being chopped by her prowess. When you combine her voice with Happy Hollows overall sound, what you have is a record that is pure delight. No matter how much meticulousness went into this album, Concordia, thrives because it is simply good and fun, which is all you need in life. For More Information On Happy Hollows And To Buy Concordia On September 8 Click Here.
