8/10

There is absolutely no denying that the double album fully ingrained itself in 2019's release calendar. Dozens of groups and artists were keen to deliver a far broader and diverse listening experience with their latest collections and it looks like that trend has already begun to spill over into 2020 as Circa Waves return to deliver 'Happy', the first half of their contrasting double LP 'Sad Happy'.

It is probably obvious from its title what we can expect from their two releases, and given that 'Sad' isn't dropping until March, these are probably two collections that need a bit of distance between them in order to appreciate them properly. But from the very start, 'Happy' looks to be nothing more than a ferocious and high-energy release that see the band focus on an array of different avenues. While their records to date have been a solid example of indie-rock charm, this new release sees them approach the genre from a number of different angles, resulting in a bright and exciting LP to wet our appetites.

The second part 'Sad' will no doubt sound like night and day compared to 'Happy', but while we have it on its own, it shows an incredible level of promise from a band that have never quite reached the heights they have deserved in the past. A joyous and uplifting slice of expertly executed pop music that is hard not to get swept away in.