Happy Heartbreak is an emo-pop band from Seattle known for their energetic and tight live performances of “happy sounding sad songs.”  Their new single, “NMS (Hanoi),” stands out amongst their strongest recordings to date. Blending a blitz of drums, intricate guitars, and strings into a jam-packed three and a half minutes, the track is characterized most explicitly by Craig Suede’s distinctive high-range vocals.

Reminiscent of the artistic aesthetic of bands like Motion City Soundtrack and Never Shout Never, “NMS (Hanoi)” is a super catchy song within a genre that isn’t heard all that often in Seattle.  While the mix flirts with the limits of busyness at times, the ultra-layered arrangement is ultimately a strength given its catchiness and fast-paced approach.  Propelled by this energy, the song swells to downright anthemic levels during the choruses. I found myself humming along days after my first listen.

With lyrical content contemplating the economic and emotional uncertainty of a lifestyle focused on making and performing music, “NMS (Hanoi)” leans heavily into the “happy sounding sad song” tagline in a refreshing way. Suede’s writing feels introspective and straight forward, but not in a way that avoids reflection and self-interrogation:

“I was living in Hanoi / enjoying what life is like / when it’s simple. / I’ve spent so long / chasing these dreams. / I’ve seen worry and hope / are the same things.”

What I ultimately find in these lyrics is an optimistic message. I hear an urge to focus more on the hope of a situation rather than on the heartbreak, and a call to focus on the beauty that can be found in simplicity rather than the fear of complexity.  And that’s a reminder we all need from time to time.