Drawing us in with stunning ad libs and a fierce guitar soundscape with a celestial frequency, Happy Little Clouds open Lungs with a high emotional quotient and the introspective, situational opening prose, “I was wondering where we had gone wrong, and trying hard to hold my tongue…”
The astral synth layers are divine, and evocative vocals delivered by Jac Mestel create a powerful backdrop for the song’s consciously astute lyricism. Lungs is a song that morphs in meaning over time, a sentiment echoed by the band members. Drummer Jess Townsend remarks on its soul-level familiarity, describing it as a song that “just sits in the middle of your chest and squeezes.”
The powerful hook “We are the way we are,” embodies the essence of self acceptance and self-realization. This simple yet profound statement encourages authenticity, resonating deeply with us by acknowledging the complexities of the human condition. It feels universally relatable, offering comfort and a sense of solidarity to those facing struggles. We could certainly imagine the song being performed in The Bronze in an episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
Bassist JD Bergstrom highlights the song’s duality, noting how the chorus line can convey both resignation and empowerment, depending on the listener’s mood. This dynamic is beautifully reflected in the song’s structure, where Mestel’s vocals oscillate between raw emotion and tender introspection, especially notable when the guitar drops out, leaving their voice to carry the weight of the message.
We learn that Lungs marks a significant departure from Happy Little Clouds‘ previous two releases, both up-tempo and high-energy. The ballad turns up the emotional energy and Mestel’s charismatic delivery is fully transcendental.
Lungs serves as a journey through grief and self-discovery. Each verse can represent different facets of a single person’s struggle or the struggles of different people, culminating in a powerful declaration of self-acceptance and strength.
We can imagine how incredible this would be to experience live, and fans can look forward to seeing Happy Little Clouds at upcoming performances, including Warehouse XI on August 1 and JP Porchfest on August 24. In the meantime, we have added Lungs to our New Music Spotlight playlist and our brand new TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of the band, including I Don’t Suppose.