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Happier?
Studio album by
Volumes
ReleasedNovember 19, 2021 (2021-11-19)
Genre
Length40:15
LabelFearless
Producer
  • Raad Soudani
  • Daniel Braunstein
  • Max Schad
Volumes chronology
Different Animals
(2017) 		Happier?
(2021)
Singles from Happier?
  1. "Weighted"
    Released: September 24, 2020[1]
  2. "Get Enough"
    Released: August 12, 2021[2]
  3. "Bend"
    Released: October 7, 2021[3]
  4. "Happier?"
    Released: October 28, 2021[4]

Happier? is the fourth studio album by American progressive metalcore band Volumes. It was released on November 19, 2021 through Fearless Records. The album was produced by Raad Soudani, Daniel Braunstein and Max Schad.[5][6][7]

On June 17, 2022, the band released their third EP entitled Bend(ed), featuring two different takes of the song "Bend" from Happier?. Among them are a stripped down version and a live rendition, in addition to the original studio version of the song.[8]

Background and recording

[edit]

On July 16, 2019, Volumes announced that they are working on new material for the forthcoming album.[9] On February 12, 2021, the band have concluded the recording sessions for their new album.[10] On April 14, the group announced that the album is in mixing process.[11]

On May 6, Volumes completely wrapped their studio work on the record.[12] On October 8, they revealed the album itself, the album cover, the track list, and release date.[13]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Distorted Sound9/10[14]
Kerrang![15]
Wall of Sound8/10[16]

The album received positive reviews from critics. Dan McHugh of Distorted Sound scored the album 9 out of 10 and said: "The level of consistency and quality held inside Happier? is pretty remarkable considering the sheer level of turmoil that Volumes have had to endure to get to this stage. As the old cliché adequately states 'anything worth having is worth fighting for' and it has certainly brought the best out of this group of musicians. If you were ever in any doubt concerning the longevity of the band then hopefully this release will assist in revitalising your hope for a fruitful future."[14]

Kerrang! gave the album 3 out of 5 and stated: "All in all, it's an album that gives a nod to the band's past while still bringing in new ideas. And will that make fans Happier? Almost certainly…"[15] Wall of Sound gave the album a score 8/10 and saying: "So here comes the big admission, before I took this review on – I'd not actually heard of Volumes. I make this admission embarrassingly too often but it's fun discovering so much great new music. I am so glad I reviewed this album though, I can already tell that 'Get Enough' is my new hyper-fixation-play-all-the-time song. I also like the versatility and obvious talent of this band. Both vocalists effortlessly switch between both the cleans and screams. The instrumentation is fantastic, supports the songs' themes so well, and sounds so cohesive and polished. I know this band has been through a bit of a tumultuous time with in-fighting, line-up changes and tragedy, but from my new-to-the-band point-of-view – they sound like a band hitting their stride. This album is excellent and spoiler alert: it will be in my top albums of the year."[16]

Track listing

[edit]

Adapted from Apple Music.[17]

Happier? track listing
No.TitleLength
1."FBX"2:31
2."Malevolent"3:39
3."Bend"4:18
4."Get Enough"3:16
5."Lets Me Down"4:29
6."Man on Fire"3:03
7."Weighted"3:43
8."See You Again"3:05
9."Into You (Hurt)"4:13
10."Void"2:43
11."Happier?"5:10
Total length:40:15
Bend(ed)
EP by
Volumes
ReleasedJune 17, 2022 (2022-06-17)
Genre
Length13:05
LabelFearless
Producer
  • Raad Soudani
  • Daniel Braunstein
  • Max Schad
Bend(ed)[18]
No.TitleLength
1."Bend" (stripped)4:26
2."Bend" (live at Chain Reaction, Anaheim, California; November 20, 2021)4:19
3."Bend"4:18
Total length:13:05

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from Discogs.[19]

Volumes

  • Myke Terry – vocals
  • Michael Barr – vocals, vocal mixing
  • Raad Soudani – bass, programming, production, recording
  • Nick Ursich – drums

Additional musicians

  • Daniel Braunstein – guitars, production, mixing, mastering, recording
  • Max Schad – guitars, programming, production, recording

Additional personnel

  • Marc Mutnansky – project management
  • Derek Brewer – management
  • Cody Demavivas – A&R
  • Gabor Toth – artwork
  • Sage LaMonica – design
  • Levi Seitz – lacquer cut

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Volumes Premiere New Track "Weighted"". ThePRP. September 24, 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  2. ^ "Volumes Premiere "Get Enough" Music Video". ThePRP. August 12, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  3. ^ "Volumes Premiere "Bend" Music Video, New Album "Happier?" Due In November". ThePRP. October 7, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  4. ^ "Volumes Streaming New Song "Happier?"". ThePRP. October 28, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  5. ^ Neilstein, Vince (October 8, 2021). "Volumes Unveil Latest Single, "Bend," New Album Happier? Coming in November". MetalSucks. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  6. ^ "Volumes Announce New Record Happier? + New Song 'Bend'". Wall of Sound. October 8, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  7. ^ "Volumes will release their new album 'Happier?' next month". Upset. October 11, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  8. ^ "Volumes Release "Bend(ed)" EP Today". Rock 'N' Load. June 17, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  9. ^ "Volumes Working On New Material". ThePRP. July 16, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  10. ^ "Volumes Finish New Album". ThePRP. February 12, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  11. ^ "Volumes Mixing New Album". ThePRP. April 14, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  12. ^ "Volumes Finish Work On New Album". ThePRP. May 6, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  13. ^ "Volumes announce 'Happier?' album, premiere new single". Lambgoat. October 8, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  14. ^ a b McHugh, Dan (November 22, 2021). "ALBUM REVIEW: Happier? – Volumes". Distorted Sound Mag. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Travers, Paul (November 22, 2021). "Album review: Volumes – Happier?". Kerrang!. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  16. ^ a b Mac, Cait (November 19, 2021). "Volumes – Happier? (Album Review)". Wall of Sound. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  17. ^ "Happier? by Volumes". Apple Music. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  18. ^ "Volumes Release "Bend(ed)" EP, Debut Music Video For 'Stripped' Version Of "Bend"". ThePRP. June 16, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  19. ^ "Volumes Happier?". Discogs. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
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