“Phantom Feelings” is the fourth album of Terribly Happy, full of emotions from the deepest introspection coupled with nostalgic instrumentation and authentic Midwest emo. The album is their most ambitious to date consisting of 13 songs; home video sound clips from the 1990s interwoven with folk emo guitars, bouncingly catchy rhythms and whispering synths. The result is a deeply personal record, touching for those who lost someone, for those struggling with anxiety of death, or for those who feel they want yesterday back.
Already with the opening song ‘Phantom Feelings’ the indie folk ballad the intensity rises with opening choruses starting with gentle strumming, then adding horns and background vocals. It’s a dark and evocative opening allowing anyone who presses play to delve into the extraordinariness of the record.
“Good Enough is Good Enough” is also fuzzy to its benefit with true pop-punk straight power chord energy supporting a catchy chorus. Songs like “Every Rachel Ever” and “That’d Be a Great Song Title” because they are basic, honest, and catchy. The lyrics for all the songs in the album are meaningful and authentically portray feelings most people have difficulty putting into words.
The best of the tracks is an indie rock number titled, “Building Castles With The Sands of Time.” Its five minutes put the audience in front of a beautiful combination of math rock guitar work, emotions-filled vocals, and a mesmerizing background that can be appreciated time and time again.
Thus, the album “Phantom Feelings” is a mix of musically remembered feelings and emotions with elements of modern music style. Terribly Happy has made something personal but also global helping people feel less alone with their feeling. This is an album which can be felt gradually and then liked even more on the second, third and subsequent listens, which is also a sign of the band’s desire to reach people.
