Album artwork for Happy Songs for Happy People by Mogwai
Album artwork for Happy Songs for Happy People by Mogwai

Though "happy" isn't necessarily the first word that springs to mind when describing the band's intricate, brooding style, it is a word and emotion that is both simple and profound, much like the direction Mogwai's music takes here. Happy Songs for Happy People takes the focus and restraint of Rock Action to greater lengths, but it never feels like a rehash of their previous work. The palette of sounds the band uses -- which includes rolling guitars and pianos, swelling strings, persuasive but un-showy drumming, and occasional forays into distortion and electronics -- is a relatively small one, but the band uses it wisely on tracks as diverse as the lovely, understated "Kids Will Be Skeletons" (arguably the "happiest" song on the album) and the gloriously dense finale, "Stop Coming to My House," which piles layers and layers of distorted drums, guitars, and synths atop each other. Mogwai also employs its usual quietly beautiful/explosively noisy dynamic formula expertly, particularly on the gorgeous "Killing All the Flies," which feels much longer (in a good way) than four and a half minutes.

Mogwai

Happy Songs for Happy People

PIAS
Album artwork for Happy Songs for Happy People by Mogwai
LP

$26.99

Released 09/14/2018Catalog Number

PIASX035LP

Learn more
Album artwork for Happy Songs for Happy People by Mogwai
LP +

$32.99$24.99

sale

Transparent Green Vinyl

Released 11/03/2023Catalog Number

PIAA0035.1

Learn more
Mogwai

Happy Songs for Happy People

PIAS
Album artwork for Happy Songs for Happy People by Mogwai
LP

$26.99

Released 09/14/2018Catalog Number

PIASX035LP

Learn more
Album artwork for Happy Songs for Happy People by Mogwai
LP +

$32.99$24.99

sale

Transparent Green Vinyl

Released 11/03/2023Catalog Number

PIAA0035.1

Learn more

Though "happy" isn't necessarily the first word that springs to mind when describing the band's intricate, brooding style, it is a word and emotion that is both simple and profound, much like the direction Mogwai's music takes here. Happy Songs for Happy People takes the focus and restraint of Rock Action to greater lengths, but it never feels like a rehash of their previous work. The palette of sounds the band uses -- which includes rolling guitars and pianos, swelling strings, persuasive but un-showy drumming, and occasional forays into distortion and electronics -- is a relatively small one, but the band uses it wisely on tracks as diverse as the lovely, understated "Kids Will Be Skeletons" (arguably the "happiest" song on the album) and the gloriously dense finale, "Stop Coming to My House," which piles layers and layers of distorted drums, guitars, and synths atop each other. Mogwai also employs its usual quietly beautiful/explosively noisy dynamic formula expertly, particularly on the gorgeous "Killing All the Flies," which feels much longer (in a good way) than four and a half minutes.