Happiness Project – Mutation (CD Album – BOREDOMproduct)
Genre/Influences: Electro-pop, body-pop.
Background/Info: French electro-pop formation Happiness Project doesn’t release new work on a regular basis, but their recently released “Big Cities”-EP was a teaser to announce their third full length album.
Content: Happiness Project has this typical BOREDOMproduct touch, which is characterized by space-like sequences and a vintage sound approach. Next to the already familiar EP-title song “Big Cities” we can discover new tracks, on which the band switches from harder, body-pop driven songs to quieter and even dreamy-like electro-pop pieces. The tracklist mixes danceable cuts and moody-like songs. There also is a cool twist between male- and female vocals.
+ + + : Happiness Project is a band with a very own sound, which I however directly link to other label mates such as Celluloide and Dekad. But this is something different, sometimes harder, carried by solid bass lines, astral bleeping arrangements, dry snares and a production, which generally speaking has something pretty retro-like. I especially enjoy the harder cuts and want to tip “Sweet Heart Of Mine”.
– – – : I’m less convinced by the softer cuts. It’s not that they’re bad and/or unaccomplished, but Happiness Project sounds more convincing when producing a harder and menacing sound.
Conclusion: This is the first new studio album in six years and it definitely feels like a relief to have this band back with new songs. This is a diversified and fully enjoyable opus.
Best songs: “Sweet Heart Of Mine”, “A Better Claim”, “Tell Me”, “Big Cities”, “Mutation”.
Rate: (8).
Artist: www.happinessproject.fr / www.facebook.com/HappiProject
Label: www.boredomproduct.online.fr / www.facebook.com/boredomproduct
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