Happy Accidents - Everything But The Here And Now

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Happy Accidents cement their place as one of the UK’s catchiest new bands.

“All I seem to be thinking ‘bout is everything but the here and now” sings Rich Mandell on the second full length from London indie-punks Happy Accidents. The trio of twenty-somethings can hardly be blamed for wanting to avoid the present as we go hurtling into 2018, and the record continues to chart the ups and downs of life as a youngster in contemporary Britain.

Lo-fi guitars combine with subtle synths and twinkling keys to create the ‘sunglasses and stripy Topman t-shirt’ aesthetic that runs through ‘Everything But The Here And Now’. It’s not a huge departure from previous efforts, but it’s a more refined version of their punk laden indie-rock than listeners are used to. It isn’t all surface though, and the band showcase a penchant for crafting upbeat anthems out of their everyday adversities. From existential crises to social anxieties, the subject matter is immensely relatable.

Some much-needed variety comes courtesy of drummer Phoebe’s lead vocals on the likes of ‘A Better Plan’ and ‘Text Me When You’re Home’. It’s another layer to the trio’s sound that effectively prevents the listening experience from becoming in any way monotonous across its eleven tracks. Happy Accidents are, however, at their most dynamic when Rich and Phoebe trade-off one another. On ‘Act Naturally’ they combine vocal powers to create a chorus of arena-conquering proportions.

On ‘Everything But The Here And Now’ Happy Accidents have polished up their DIY sound to cement their place as one of the UK’s catchiest new bands. For those that want lyrical relatability or just toe-tapping melody, this album will undoubtedly soundtrack the summer. Brad Thorne