Happy People- Peace Review

The world, as we know it, is a massive heap of flaming shit full of inequality, poverty and fear. We can't turn on the news without hearing about some atrocity in a foreign land in a city you can't pronounce. What makes it even worse is that Britain is slowly turning into a dangerous hotbox of anger and apathy, and the smoke is getting thicker for people to see a way out. How can British teens live in 2015 without wanting to act out and be angry at the stupidity and banality of our culture? So when you see that Peace have an album out called Happy People you can't help but scoff.

But it really isn't a happy album, the lyrics can get morose, self-conscious and down right angry at points. If In Love was being in year eleven just after your GCSEs, then Happy People is arriving at college and your mates telling you that everyone hates you. Themes on this album span from feeling inadequate, ugly and down right miserable. The ironic title isn't the only talking point, Peace have lifted styles and genres to create an mismatched album that almost fits into place.

O You starts off the album and grabs you by the collar with a clunky hook and a Koisser crooning I'm just trying to change the world we live in, for you. A sweet sentiment if ever there was one. O You sounds like nothing Peace have ever done before, and that has become their trademark. Throughout the LP you have the candy flossed boy band anthem of Lost On Me, undoubtedly Oasis-esque acoustic Someday, and the grungy I'm A Girl. The genre stealing becomes the talking point of the album when discussing it with others. Swapping tales of where you think that riff comes from or where the inspiration was. Stealing is usually frowned upon, but not on this album.

The gem on this album is Perfect Skin. Sitting about halfway through an album full of regret and growing up, it defines the feelings of every teen in history. It's the tale of looking at someone and questioning how they can be so perfect and gorgeous. This is truly a highpoint for the band both lyrically and sonically.  Many people doubted whether the Brummy quartet could pull off something quite as sensational as In Love. In my opinion, they have crafted something completely different to not just their previous work- but British indie in general. The world may be a massive heap of flaming shit, but perhaps we all just need a bit of Peace.