“I might just blow up my life, go full free radical.“
Glasgow-based quartet Happydaze are back with another EP, Full Free Radical, following on from their first, Underground Summer Sound, which released early last year. Produced by Mike Green (New Found Glory, All Time Low et al.) there is absolutely no getting away from the fact that this release will satisfy fans of emo from any generation. With each track carrying brilliant hooks and sing-along choruses, it’s a thoroughly good time.
The background of Happydaze is equally ‘genre-perfect,’ with it all beginning with a chance meeting between vocalist Luke Bovill and drummer Pete Bunting during a ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition in an abandoned barn during their teenage years. In 2020, the two drew in guitarists Rory Gault-Gordon and Adam Campbell. Forming during the COVID-19 pandemic certainly presented challenges, but they have risen far above that, having already supported Boston Manor and Neck Deep on tour. As well as this, both “Faded” and “Cool Blue” (taken from this EP) were released earlier this year to great reception after being premiered on BBC R1. They followed up with the release of the title track, “Full Free Radical“, accompanied by a interesting ’90s inspired music video.
“Faded” kicks with a great house beat before Bovill’s distinctive vocals take centre-stage, with groovy strings leading into an anthemic chorus which brings back Yellowcard vibes. The percussion throughout this EP is fantastic, littering interesting riffs with little fills and effective cymbals, whilst drawing in Lo-Fi elements here and there to lend additional texture. The bass works alongside perfectly, and the overall sound is very polished and cohesive. “Full Free Radical” is probably the song we all needed coming out of a pandemic, to dance, sing, and let loose. “I might just blow up my life, go full free radical,” from a chorus which is guaranteed to be stuck in your head for days, is a sentiment we can all identify with having experienced two years locked up. “Cool Blue” and “Day In And Out” are classic ‘emo break-up’ tracks: break out your side fringes, striped gloves, go back to those mid-2000s first heartbreaks and go and have a great time.
Bunting is brilliant here, and a small breakdown in the last minute of “Cool Blue” shows what the quartet are truly capable of musically. They’re a talented bunch and there’s a lot of potential for them to lean into different genres here as they continue to grow and develop their sound. “Day In And Out” relies heavily on the Lo-Fi beats mentioned earlier, along with a slight trap vibe in the break. It’s as fantastic as it is unexpected. “Thinkinofu” (yes for those of us that remember, we even have a nod to MSN messenger) is a straight-up banger from start to finish, and takes you exactly where you want it to. “Heaven You Felt” is the most experimental of the album, with a clear garage influence in the bass and percussion. Again, the ability to fuse genres here is brilliant; it’s done with tact and consideration and does not take away from the bands ‘sound’ at any point. It only adds a depth and intrigue which keeps Full Free Radical feeling fresh. “Same To Me” closes out the EP with drum and bass, electro, Lo-Fi, pop-punk and house all wrapped into one track. It’s impressive to say the very least and will leave you wanting more from Happydaze.
Initially this EP may not be everyone’s cup of tea, eclectic as it is, but by the time you get to the end you’ll be thoroughly eager to see where these four go next. They’re certainly one to watch and are only going to build and improve as they continue to find ‘their’ sound and experiment with different genres. The way they have done so with such sensitivity and brilliance here is sure to be just the beginning.
7/10
Full Free Radical will release this Friday, May 12th, via Thriller Records, and you can pre-order it here.