“Happy” by Brooklyn based EDM band, Gift of Tongues, is the summer hit we have all been waiting for.
This single is part of their upcoming album, The Perfect Son. “Though there are danceable synth pop songs, everything is tinged with a kind of sadness and darkness -the soft underbelly of my life,” says David Johnston, the heart and soul behind the band. David creates a safe space for himself and his listeners to have honest conversations about mental health, identity, and love through music. He is a singer-songwriter whose mission is to make music about mental health that is not depressing and slow, but energetic and empowering.
“Happy” is undoubtedly a love song, but whether or not this love is a positive force in the singer’s life is questionable. The beginning of the song utilizes upbeat synths and catchy melodies to set the tone for a pleading love song. However, as the track goes on, the lyrics get more and more desperate -- making it seem like this love is not 100 percent healthy. This theme, in a way, can be compared to the musical elements of David’s music. The repetitive chord progressions emphasize the repetition in the lyrics and the obsessive love being portrayed here.
Although the lyrics are somewhat dark, the beat goes so hard that you can’t help but dance. This is David’s goal -- to make sad music danceable.
Take a listen to “Happy” if you’re feeling like you need a dance party followed by a cry session. If it’s anything like the last two releases from Gift Of Tongues, The Perfect Son is going to be magnificent.
