The new release from HAPPIE is like reconnecting with an old friend you haven’t seen in a while, yet who instantly reminds you why you grew so close. Her fresh EP “Real Love” is another step on this long journey, where with each stride, she shares heartfelt stories framed in light indie-pop melodies. HAPPIE has long found her niche in the music world, and “Real Love” is further proof that she is a true songwriter. Each of the four tracks reflects her personal story, which she shares with us as if entrusting her most intimate thoughts and feelings. This EP is emotions transformed into sound, and perhaps one of the most genuine releases of the year.

photo by Dave Creaney

“Real Love” is just four tracks, but they reveal HAPPIE’s inner world with such sincerity that it’s more than enough to understand what true love means to her. It’s not something fleeting, it’s something profound that runs through all four songs. Her whispering vocals and gentle guitars touch the soul like a warm breeze, leaving a pleasant aftertaste.

If someone asked me why HAPPIE has captured the hearts of listeners worldwide, I would say the reason lies in her ability to touch the most delicate strings of the soul. It’s a talent that should not be underestimated. Over the past ten years, she has come a long way, performing on the most prestigious stages, yet she has never lost her authenticity. “Real Love” is another milestone in her career and undoubtedly further proof that she continues to grow both as an artist and as a person.

The EP begins with the light track “Close,” which seems to embrace you from the very first notes. Delicate guitar plucking, textured backdrops, and HAPPIE’s angelic voice make you melt into the sound. If you love romantic tracks about closeness and attachment, “Close” is exactly what your heart needs to tune into a stylish pop vibe. “Real Love” immediately captivates with its melodies, then unexpectedly leads you into darker, more minor tones where romance meets experimentation.

The slightly distorted sound gives the track a hypnotic feel, and the changes in rhythm and tempo only enhance it. The track hits you emotionally, with HAPPIE embedding a whole story encrypted in the metaphors of the lyrics. The commercially appealing sound and powerful progression of “Real Love” instantly make it my personal favorite. The mood shifts, various instruments, and pads add a spark to the track that lingers in your memory. The cinematic quality of this song makes it feel like it could be an excellent soundtrack for a movie.

Next comes “Easy,” adding a sense of lightness and tranquility to the atmosphere. It’s the kind of track that can transport you to an endless summer, where worries melt away in the heat. With this song, you can dream, enjoy life, and simply relax. It’s a light breather that makes your heart beat faster and sink into the lush, textured sound, ready to captivate you from the first seconds.

The EP then concludes with “Shooting Star” — the centerpiece and most significant song on the record. HAPPIE returns to the gentle guitar strums, leaving us alone with her voice until the chorus. Tender and personal, “Shooting Star” makes you tune in to your own feelings. In this track, HAPPIE bares her soul, sharing a very intimate part of herself, which truly deserves the highest praise. She emphasizes the importance of family and expresses her boundless love for her father, who has had a profound impact on her music and life. Not every artist is willing to be so candid, but this is exactly what makes HAPPIE’s music so relatable to everyone. In “Shooting Star,” her voice soars and dips, holding emotions on a delicate edge. It’s a track you can listen to both in a crowd and in solitude, savoring a rare moment to be alone with yourself.

“Real Love” by HAPPIE is the kind of music that makes you pause, take a deep breath, and dive into that rare moment when the music truly lives inside you. As you listen, it doesn’t feel like you’re hearing just another set of background radio hits — it’s more like a conversation with your best friend, who knows when to stay silent and when to say something truly meaningful.

The focus here is on sincerity. HAPPIE shares her vulnerability, and it feels so real that it almost makes you uncomfortable, as if you’ve accidentally read someone’s personal diary. And that’s what makes it great! In a world where music often feels too disconnected from reality, HAPPIE gives us the chance to experience the raw breath of genuine emotions. Song after song, it’s as if HAPPIE is whispering in your ear, “Stop, look around, find beauty in what seems ordinary.” And you know what? It works.

*This review was made possible by SubmitHub