EP REVIEW: Trousdale Completes Sophomore EP ‘WHAT HAPPINESS IS’
EP REVIEW: Trousdale Completes Sophomore EP ‘WHAT HAPPINESS IS’
Featuring pre-released tracks and brand new single “Love,” the Trio’s New EP is an Instant Hit
Words By: Jordyn Kieft
Fast-rising folk trio Trousdale just released their sophomore EP, What Happiness Is, on November 12, 2021, along with focus track single “Love.” Mirroring their warm and genuine personalities, Trousdale’s candid songwriting and beautiful elements of Americana, folk, and pop music has led to a successful career in the music industry for the relatively new band. Over their career, the trio has developed a devoted and engaged fanbase, gathering strongholds such as Consequence and CMT, as well as other artists including The Jonas Brothers and Dan and Shay. They have also been featured on some of Apple Music and Spotify’s top Americana, Folk, Singer-Songwriter, and Mood playlists including Roots Rising, Women of Folk, and Infinite Indie Folk.
Trousdale’s What Happiness Is begins with the pre-released single “This Is It,” which Consequence added to their New Sound playlist. Written by Trousdale themselves, “This Is It” is soaked with Americana stylistics and pop tendencies. The popular track conveys a meaningful message encouraging us to live in the present while conjuring good vibes and joy. By the end of the song, you’ll find yourself singing along while simultaneously making plans to go grab a drink with friends and live in the moment.
The EP continues with “Always Joni,” another pre-released track and instant hit. This track features the iconic indie-folk sound that Trousdale is known for. In “Always Joni,” which discusses the heartbreak and loss of a love named Joni, Trousdale’s beautiful voices shine. The sweet harmonies and beautiful background music will leave you missing your own Joni and maybe even shedding a tear at the delicate lyrics.
The pre-released track “What Could I Say” follows “Always Joni,” slowing down Trousdale’s What Happiness Is to a sad, but hope-filled emotional track. Filled with touching lyrics such as “What could I say to you/ To make it okay again/ What could I say to you/ To bring you back home again” combined with elements of vocal melodies, “What Could I Say” highlights the musical talent of Trousdale perfectly. We can all relate to the emotions the band brings to the table in this track.
Trousdale’s most recent single release “Any Day Now” comes next on What Happiness Is. “Any Day Now” picks back up the pace of the EP with a positive beat, featuring deep, but hopeful lyrics conveying an uplifting and empowering message. Trousdale admits that although they do not know what will happen in the future post-break-up, they still feel optimistic about the situation anyway.
What Happiness Is ends with “Love,” the only track not previously released by Trousdale. Taking a different direction from the other tracks on the EP, “Love” showcases a groovy beat and funky bass accompanied by a country-sounding lyrical performance that shows the vocal expertise of the trio. The track describes Trousdale’s desire to have a little love in their lives even if the love is wrong and ends in heartbreak, hate, and tears. Trousdale inspires us to not just survive, but live. “Love” is an adventurous move on Trousdale’s part that lands successfully and will leave you even more impressed at their vocal talent than ever before.
To celebrate the release of What Happiness Is, Trousdale will be doing two release shows. The first show will be on November 20th at The Echo in Los Angeles, and the second show will be on December 3rd at the Rockwood Music Hall in New York. Tickets for those shows are available now and can be purchased by clicking the TICKET link below. Stay tuned as Trousdale will continue to grow and develop in 2022!
