Rocktrospectiva: The Acclaimed "Sad Happy" Turns 5

Released on 13 March 2020, "Sad Happy" was the fourth studio album by British indie rock band Circa Waves. The album was released as a double album with "Happy" being released on 10 January 2020 and "Sad" being released on 13 March 2020 through PIAS Recordings and Prolifica, noticed the same themes in “Sad Happy,” the latest album from Liverpool-based indie rock band Circa Waves. Released Friday, March 13 via Prolifica Records, the band’s fourth album is a double concept that blends the two parts into a type of yin yang with each emotion bleeding into the other.The double album spawned four singles "Jacqueline", "Move To San Francisco", "Sad Happy" & "Battered & Bruised".

"Sad Happy" opened with the upbeat track “Jacqueline.” It had the feel of a fun song soaring with the spirit of summer approaching. However, the lyrics point to a story of a new mother struggling to cope with the pressures of parenting. The band carried that energy into the gritty blues-rock track "Be Your Drug." 

The British band captured the US idealism on "Move To San Francisco." There is something romantic about making a big move or change which will bring different, better luck. The song captures all of the longing and depressing reality. Shudall now went for the glorious acoustic track "The Things We Knew Last Night." It’s was a beautiful boozy late-night track that captures a sort of reckoning that comes through stronger on the second half of the album on, "Wake Up Call."

The track "Call Your Name" may be one of the best on the album. It has the serious sounds of 90s west coast alternative rock, It’s got a bit of self-reflection from the perspective of a cynical 22-year-old who is looking back on better days. The band radiated a Smashing Pumpkins vibe with the orchestral strings that make "Love You More" sound angelic and serves a fitting close to the first half of the album.

Circa Waves picks up its pace again on the bridge between the two sides, "Sad Happy," which served as an appropriate melancholy pop bridge, where the mood shifts more is on the second track, "Wake Up Call." began to separate the second side with deep synths replacing the guitars that provided the heavy vibes on this track.

While the sad side is supposed to be just that, but there is an emotional longing that creeps out of the speakers on "Hope There's a Heaven." This time, the band seemed to pull from its own side of the pond and draw from 90s English pop to create a dreary mood., "Train to Lime Street" which would serve well at the end of any practice.

The album closed with the completed idea of celebrating another year past on "Birthday Cake." It runs through the idea of trying to create a legacy while having the feeling as though you are running out of time. The song asks more questions than it answers adding another layer of complexity to the project.

"Sad Happy" was a double album that relies on both ideas to support the whole concept. It just as in life, where it is rarely just sad or just happy, it is a combination of feelings and emotions that are constantly battling for control, it received critical acclaimed. 

 

Sad Happy Track List:  

 

Happy

1. Jacqueline 

2. Be Your Drug

3. Move To San Francisco

4. Wasted On You 

5. The Things We Knew Last Night

6. Call Your Name

7. Love You More

 

Sad

1. Sad Happy

2. Wake Up Call

3. Sympathy

4. Battered & Bruised

5. Hope There's A Heaven

6. Train To Lime Street

7. Birthday Cake