HAPPIE – Close (2024)
With over a decade in the music industry, singer-songwriter Happie Hoffman may be new to my ears but is already an established artist in her own right. From her extensive global touring to moving eclectic melodies, Hoffman (performing as HAPPIE) uses her unique sound to connect with audiences on an international scale. Beginning as part of the indie-folk duo Eric & Happie, their “modern take on traditional Jewish music and love songs resonated globally”; however, it is her step as a solo artist that fully celebrates her evolution as an independent musician pushing the borders of indie conventionalism. The latest addition to her discography is the single ‘Close’.
Following her well-received single ‘Shooting Star’, HAPPIE continues her delicate saunter into 2024 with ‘Close’. Inspired by humanity and the intricacies of relationships, HAPPIE touches on the glowing and gritty aspects of this complex area. ‘Shooting Star’ tackled the tender connections with family, but the new single delves further into love’s facets from pure, warm passion to desperate indifference. The first collaboration with co-writers Ori Rakib and Andre Heard, HAPPIE explains:
“’Close’ is about being next to someone you love but feeling a thousand miles away. I think, unfortunately, a lot of people can relate to feeling distant from someone they love – whether it be a romantic, platonic, or familial relationship. “I don’t want to be alone when I’m with you” is a quote from the song that I think captures the whole storyline.”
Known for finding the balance between synthetic and organic sounds, HAPPIE carves an acoustic design within electronic soundscapes. Yet, ‘Close’ ups the ante on this eclecticism using a simplistic, barebones folk style with shimmering electronica twinkling beneath. For me, the starkness of the melody mixing a basic guitar and almost spoken-word vocals enhances the vulnerable pain and confusion felt; however, that slip of synths inserts a sense of warmth and comfort perfectly aligning with the poignant message of ‘Close’.
Find out more about HAPPIE on her official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
Discover more indie-folk tunes on The Other Side Reviews Indie Folk playlist:
