Photo Credits: https://www.shervinfoto.com/
Memphis, Tennessee native indie-pop artist HAPPIE, also known as Happie Hoffman, has just released her highly anticipated sophomore solo EP, "Real Love" which features four tracks that explore the complex and diverse feelings of love, from family bonds all the way to the good and bad of romance!
TRACKLIST
Shooting Star
Close
Real Love
Easy
HAPPIE officially started her musical journey in 2016 when she was part of the indie folk duo, Eric & Happie in which they did a modern twist on traditional Jewish music, after all, Happie was the cantor in one of the U.S.'s largest Reform Jewish congregations. In 2022, HAPPIE decided to go solo, transitioning more into the pop world and released her debut EP, "Heartbreak Season" which landed her a feature on GRAMMY.com and gained praise from publications like SPIN, Under The Radar, and The Big Takeover. "Heartbreak Season" focused on the exploration of romantic relationships and independence. HAPPIE's sound has been compared to the likes of alternative pop artists such as Maggie Rogers and Lana Del Rey, as well as emotional ballad singers like Adele and John Legend. Just in these past two years going solo, HAPPIE has managed to gain over 100k Spotify monthly listeners and over one million streams. Now taking things to the next level, we have HAPPIE's second EP, "Real Love" which features the heartfelt leading single dedicated to her father, "Shooting Star".
Close
Opening up the EP, we have "Close" the second single to come before the EP release. Have you ever heard the saying, "so close, yet so far away"? The song "Close" is the embodiment of that saying, and is about being in a relationship with someone who could be physically right next to you but they are so emotionally disconnected that it's like they're not even there. All you want is for them to open up to you, and you find yourself hoping that one day something will click and you'll get that closeness you've been searching for with them - although, deep down you know that is very well might not happen. It's a very heartbreaking situation to go through, and is something many can relate to. Paired with ringing acoustic guitar and soulful background vocals, this minimalistic indie track is meant to pull at your heartstrings through it's emotional lyricism and dark harmonies.
Real Love
Next, we have the title track and final single release, "Real Love". Accompanied by a music video that features a dance choreographed and performed by the Hollywood Ballet, "Real Love" touches on the subject of how no relationship is perfect, but if you truly love each other, you can put your differences aside to make things work. It's like that old saying, "true love conquers all", HAPPIE sings, "if it's real love, then let's really love and let go". Being in a relationship long-term is really hard; fights happen, but when you love someone, you'll do anything to make sure they're happy. "Real Love" has a really unique, diverse blend of worldly sounds. I hear hints of Latin, Middle-Eastern, and even Celtic tones throughout both the vocal style and the instrumentation. It's a haunting, but beautiful soundscape with respectful nods to many backgrounds.
Easy
"Easy" is a pure indie-pop track with heavy emphasis on gentle electric guitar and a little bit of a 60's pop/rock tone. "Easy" is about when you get into a relationship that is everything you've ever been looking for. It's effortless, and it feels right, but you're still a little bit on the cautious side of things in fear that at any moment that peace could just stop. HAPPIE sings to this partner, asking them if things could stay this easy forever, because they finally gave her something to believe in and she doesn't want it to end. "Easy" is a catchy song that has a radio-worthy soundscape and relatable lyrics.
Shooting Star
Released earlier this year as the leading single in anticipation for her EP, and as an early Father's Day gift, "Shooting Star" closes out the "Real Love" EP and is a tribute to HAPPIE's dad who acts a very important and inspirational figure within her life. You can tell when listening to this song how special the bond between HAPPIE and her father is. The emotion is so raw and cathartic; even if you personally don't have a relationship like this, you're able to feel the love emanating from this song within your own heart. The lyrics are a reminder that we don't have a lot of time on this Earth, so we need to enjoy it while we still can. Spend as much time with the one's you love while they are still here, because one day they won't be. "Shooting Star" focuses on a soft mixture of acoustic and electric guitar, mixed with gentle vocals by HAPPIE that make the song sound almost like a lullaby.
HAPPIE is such a pure, natural artist that I am so glad to have had the honors of listening to on such a deep level. Her raw, vulnerable emotion that she puts within every detail of her songs, from the vocals to the lyrics, to the way she plays her guitar, is something very rare in music we have today. I love how each song has it's own unique style and story; there's nothing that sounds the same which is something else that makes HAPPIE such a stand-out artist. The ability to create music that connects with a wide range of people and not just a certain niche is an incredible talent to have, and that is what HAPPIE does and she does it effortlessly. If you enjoyed the "Real Love" EP, I highly suggest also listened to her other EP, "Heartbreak Season" and following her below to keep up on her journey to see what she does next!
Written By Kaitlyn Nicole
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