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Editorial Reviews
2012 sophomore album from the three-headed-band with the one-man-name. The band that should never have worked have turned a new corner, and turned myriad new tricks. Miike Snow's second album is a triumph of tunes, set to burn up airwaves and dancefloors and festival-fields through 20 12 and beyond. This trio is made up of Swedish producers Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg and American singer/songwriter Andrew Wyatt.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another distinctive electro offering proves their debut wasn't a fluke
March 26, 2012
Format:Audio CD
Happy to You, happily enough, is not a mere retread of Miike Snow, which wouldn't have been surprising given the band's grueling touring schedule and the fact that, well, a song like "Animal" is good for some serious airplay. Their signature sound is still electronic, marrying the pop sensibilities of Vampire Weekend with the feverish beats of Passion Pit and the grimier atmosphere of the clubs Karlsson and Winnberg have long been accustomed to. While Karlsson and Winnberg and their beatmaking savvy remain the backbone, Happy to You reveals itself as more of a diverse record than its predecessor. Things are much more textured, the trio clearly reveling in the live sound that they had perfected on the road rather than grounding themselves firmly in the electronics of their debut. The melodies seem largely more fleshed out, given extra weight by the fuller sounds the band more often than not embrace. "Devil's Work" highlights the differences between the two records: in its reverb-heavy piano vamp, haunting tonal shifts and Wyatt's ghostly vocals, it's reminiscent of what made Miike Snow tracks like "Silvia" so successful; yet Wyatt's voice in the chorus is awash not in synths but in lush strings and a swelling brass melody. It's the natural link between their debut and this record, the precursor to the almost twee organ and martial drum rolls on the psychedelic "Bavarian #1 (Say You Will)" and the sparkling indie pop of "Archipelago," where a whistle solo and a sunnily propulsive chorus reminiscent of the Shins belie Wyatt's typically subversive lyrics.
First single "Paddling Out" is most likely to captivate fans of "Animal," with an insistent, syncopated beat and a similar contrast between the song's infectious tone and melancholy lyrics ("there's someone here who laughs too hard at everything" begins the chorus), but for all the band's efforts, there is nothing here that approaches the immediacy of Miike Snow. It's a necessary trade-off, perhaps, as Happy to You is much more of a proper album, to be listened to as an entire whole, than Miike Snow ever was. It's an up-and-down ride, and while there is not really a "bad" song, per se, on here (I find it hard to believe pop professionals like Karlsson and Winnberg could even write a bunk hook), there isn't a gripping, defining standout like "Silvia." Centerpiece "God Help This Divorce" comes the closest, its dreamy, Revolver-esque textures warping a straightforward (yet decidedly dark) ballad into a kaleidoscopic display of the band's studio prowess, and it's notable too in that it is easily the furthest of all the songs here from their earlier work.
That decision to expand their sound and focus more on the links between where they were and where they want to go is the true treat of Happy to You. It's evident in the percolating, stygian synths of "Black Tin Box," which uses Lykke Li's throaty voice to great effect in creating a threatening, foreboding mood, or in the sparse drums and surging bursts of noise on the twitchy "Vase." And where a song like "Paddling Out" or "Devil's Work" likely would have made much more sense as an opener, "Enter The Joker's Lair," with its skittish drums, see-sawing electronics, and general preference for skirting around its melody with bleeps and bloops rather than driving it home, stands out as the band's clear mission statement for the album - don't be afraid to shake things up. Happy to You is not as arresting as Miike Snow, nor will it likely make as much of an immediate impact. But for a genre well versed in sophomore stagnation, Miike Snow's willingness to test their boundaries is a pleasant surprise.
First single "Paddling Out" is most likely to captivate fans of "Animal," with an insistent, syncopated beat and a similar contrast between the song's infectious tone and melancholy lyrics ("there's someone here who laughs too hard at everything" begins the chorus), but for all the band's efforts, there is nothing here that approaches the immediacy of Miike Snow. It's a necessary trade-off, perhaps, as Happy to You is much more of a proper album, to be listened to as an entire whole, than Miike Snow ever was. It's an up-and-down ride, and while there is not really a "bad" song, per se, on here (I find it hard to believe pop professionals like Karlsson and Winnberg could even write a bunk hook), there isn't a gripping, defining standout like "Silvia." Centerpiece "God Help This Divorce" comes the closest, its dreamy, Revolver-esque textures warping a straightforward (yet decidedly dark) ballad into a kaleidoscopic display of the band's studio prowess, and it's notable too in that it is easily the furthest of all the songs here from their earlier work.
That decision to expand their sound and focus more on the links between where they were and where they want to go is the true treat of Happy to You. It's evident in the percolating, stygian synths of "Black Tin Box," which uses Lykke Li's throaty voice to great effect in creating a threatening, foreboding mood, or in the sparse drums and surging bursts of noise on the twitchy "Vase." And where a song like "Paddling Out" or "Devil's Work" likely would have made much more sense as an opener, "Enter The Joker's Lair," with its skittish drums, see-sawing electronics, and general preference for skirting around its melody with bleeps and bloops rather than driving it home, stands out as the band's clear mission statement for the album - don't be afraid to shake things up. Happy to You is not as arresting as Miike Snow, nor will it likely make as much of an immediate impact. But for a genre well versed in sophomore stagnation, Miike Snow's willingness to test their boundaries is a pleasant surprise.
19 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Those who are hesitant to listen to this simply because of Pitchfork's dismissive 5.8 review would do well to remember that Miike Snow's debut likewise received a middling 5.0 review from the Forkers of Pitch. The bottom line is very simple: If you liked the debut, I am quite positive you will like "Happy to You." The moral of the story is "Consider the source." Miike Snow's organic electro-pop, at least to this listener, is always a pleasure.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Alejandro
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Este álbum de Miike Snow es excelente, me llego a tiempo, no tuve ningún inconveniente con el envio! mil gracias!!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Solid album.
Happy to You is a good album, but in my opinion not quite as catchy as their debut. Still a solid follow-up worth checking out.
Published 3 months ago by Alex Oldroyd
5.0 out of 5 stars
This album is awesome.
If you enjoyed Miike Snow's first album, you'll absolutely enjoy Happy To You. These guys are pros at the piano-infused electronic jams we all loved from their debut.
Published 3 months ago by Paul
3.0 out of 5 stars
Vinyl
This record is okay. Not as good as the first album. Do I sound like a hipster? Good, because I am. The vinyl itself is quality. Unfortunately, the music on it is mediocre.
Published 5 months ago by Nathan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Miike Snow does it again
This sophomore album from Miike Snow certainly doesn't disappoint. With just as much energy and creativity as the first album, it grips you through all 12 tracks. Read more
Published 10 months ago by jtemple
4.0 out of 5 stars
unique !
I have been collecting music for many years....all types...and this is unique to me!
I saw this group on Letterman and ordered the CD the next day. Read more
I saw this group on Letterman and ordered the CD the next day. Read more
Published 11 months ago by stanton salerno
5.0 out of 5 stars
i think its pretty good
learned about the album on a blog about music videos. check out "the Wave" on Youtube. check it out if you are into this genre.
Published 13 months ago by Bagheera
5.0 out of 5 stars
Continuation of Greatness
On first listen, this album seemed to be a bit of a let down coming off such an incredible first album... Read more
Published 13 months ago by David Diebold
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sweet Swedish pop
Whatever they teach those kids in music class up in Scandinavia is good. Give it three listens before you lay judgement. Read more
Published 13 months ago by CJH15
Listmania!
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