by Jack Humphrey

Much is made every summer amongst critics and pundits over which artist or artists dominated the pop music scene with the “song of the summer.” Indeed, the music that soundtracks our summer vacations, long lazy weekends, and warm, fun-filled evenings does tend to stick with us for years thereafter, cementing itself in culture for generations to come. Perhaps in no other time of the year is the right playlist essential for inspiring a cheery, nostalgic atmosphere and putting a smile on the faces of everyone around.

All that said, it should be a huge credit to The Happy Fits that their second record, What Could Be Better, totally delivers in both of these respects. Joyful, vivacious, and technically exceptional in its musicality, the alt-rock trio takes a more polished, purposeful approach to their brand of upbeat, retro-styled pop-rock that made their first full-length Concentrate such an enjoyable listen. With tighter production and more cohesive sonic themes, What Could Be Better definitely doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to The Happy Fits brand, but more fully fleshes out their sound and aesthetic, organically evolving the band closer to their fullest alt-rock potential. This record seamlessly fuses some of the grungy, distorted bass riffs of the Arctic Monkeys with the lush harmonies, clean guitar tones, and optimistic lyricism of the Beach Boys, with plenty of other eclectic influences in tow. There’s no doubt, this is a rock and roll album for the summer, and we couldn’t be more here for it.

Blazing in at the top of the record,“Go Dumb” is a shot of adrenaline in the veins — primed and ready for a sweaty, crowded festival. Those fuzzy alt-rock riffs take center-stage on the electric opener. It’s not a complicated song, but it sets the mood right and gives fans and newcomers alike a pretty solid sample of the band’s bright, carefree persona. Following “Go Dumb,” the equally dynamic “No Instructions” ups the ante with some lush harmonies and plenty of epic sing-along moments. Frontman Calvin Langman frantically muses over the complexity of life, feeling under the gun and under-prepared at every turn. Turning up the WALK THE MOON-esk pop-rock energy of their first full-length outing, the one-two combo of “Go Dumb” and “No Instructions” makes for a bouncy ride into “What Could Be Better.”

Not to be pigeonholed into a single category, the next several tracks cycle through a brilliantly broad variety of sounds and styles, though the trio’s spirited, often goofy writing (the group wrote nearly every song here together) and tight production keeps everything totally cohesive, without a stray track here feeling out of place. “Moving” and “Two of Many,” for instance, channel a danceable calypso feel, still leaning into the band’s guitar-heavy alternative sound tastefully mixed with a breezy island feel reminiscent of the Beach Boys.

“The Garden” flips the script once again with a sparse cello arrangement. Though stripped of any and all percussive elements, this tune is no less energetic as the Happy Fits’ signature harmonies backing up Calvin Langman drive a hard-hitting build-up throughout the track. “The Garden” is one of the most emotionally charged moments on the record, with a truly unique flair about it. Even though the lyrical content here is deeply entrenched in metaphor without a crystal clear narrative, the verdant imagery and wistful expectance for a new start is well described. There’s definitely an eagerness about this tune that just wouldn’t have been properly sold with a full band arrangement.

The true standout though, is the mid-tempo soliloquy “Sailing.” While not as excitable or over the top like “Hold Me Down” or “No Instructions,” tunes like this let the record breath a bit, allowing you to slip away from the euphoric buzz of the party scene and reflect on life and loneliness. An earnest look at his own heart, “Sailing” is certainly a songwriting strong point of the record and a true testament to the band’s range as an act with some surprising depth as well as a rollicking good time.

On the final two tracks, THF brings back a more up-beat pacing, effectively leaving listeners with that same effervescent feeling that makes What Could Be Better such a fun listen. Novel in concept and almost laughably whiny, the penultimate track “Get a Job” plods along with a Weezer-like angst, as our protagonist complains about being forced into menial labor because his girlfriend has gotten too damn expensive. It’s every bit as corny as it sounds, but if there was ever a band to sell it with this kind of cheeky sincerity, it’s definitely The Happy Fits.

In a sort of culmination of all the the record’s themes and stylings, the final track takes a hard look at fear and anxiousness and dares to raise a brave smile. Talk about sending the album out on a high note; this one celebrates the worst life can throw as something to be shrugged off and looked past, complete with the same infectious cheer and celebratory spirit that’s propelled this record so far.

The Happy Fits thrives in the record’s most light-hearted and cheery moments — cutting loose to get a little goofy. The Happy Fits have a sense of humor and a definite knowledge of self, making their second record one of the most entertaining albums you’ll likely hear all year.

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