It is all but impossible to dislike Ed Roman’s new single “Happiness”. The popping creativity audible throughout this song has a contagious positive feel, an infectious optimism that, nevertheless, isn’t Pollyanna fluff. Ed Roman’s target audience, consciously or otherwise, are music devotees rather than casual listeners and his past songwriting reflects this. Cuts such as “Red Omen”, “Stronger”, and “Tomorrow Is Today”, awards and chart success scattered among them, are wildly entertaining but are far from facile pop. These previous releases and “Happiness” alike are among the most intelligent music written for mass consumption I’ve heard this year.
The craftsmanship is one of the biggest reasons. It is obvious, so some many knock the track for that, but I cannot help but love how he builds an effortless mix of traditional instruments like guitar along with more modern touches such as synthesizer. Don’t expect to hear an actual band at work here. This is a tour de force in miniature for Roman and his focus sounds absolute. The transitions from one passage and section to the next are handled adroitly and his long experience with composition serves him without ever sinking under the weight of cliché.
Much of the reason why the song successfully dodges any sort of cliché is Roman’s vocal. He interprets the lyrics with a mix of unbridled joy, intelligent phrasing, and dramatic skills. His voice undergoes several low-key transformations during “Happiness” and those variations, nonetheless, stay on the same page. Roman doesn’t have one of those attention-grabbing voices that leaves you breathless but anyone who thinks he can’t sing clearly isn’t listening.
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/edromanmusic
The acoustic guitar is a particular high point. You can practically hear the contact of the guitar pick on the strings and the playing establishes a delicate melody certain to draw in countless listeners. Keyboards are present throughout “Happiness” and sometimes take on a prominent role; the fiery flourishes built into the song will definitely catch your attention. The musical identity of this tune is essential for its appeal.
Its lyrics, however, are important. More often than not, many would-be pop songwriters pay perfunctory attention to the words. Roman, however, is intent on delivering a message with “Happiness” and, as a result, he has invested a lot of focus in hitting the lyrics just right. It never oversteps however. Roman has written these words with the musical arrangement well in mind and his attentiveness rewards the listener.
It’s a thoroughly satisfying release. It isn’t an attempt, successful or otherwise, to break new ground but, instead, a forthright and highly musical offering full of exuberance and undeniable humanity. “Happiness” is one of 2021’s best singles for a number of reasons but its wide-open spirit and inviting demeanor ranks high. It is present in Ed Roman’s past work as well but reaches a whole new peak with this single. I hope the song enjoys great success and that we hear from him again soon. He’s one of the most invigorating independent artists writing and recording today.
Chadwick Easton