Happy Accidents - ‘Edit Undo’ review
Happy Accidents by Benjamin Whitley
Happy Accidents, the London-based duo of guitarist/vocalist Rich Mandell and drummer/vocalist Phoebe Cross, return this Friday with their latest full-length release, Edit Undo, via Alcopop! Records. Since their 2016 debut You Might Be Right, the pair have evolved from scrappy, fast-paced punk to a more introspective, genre-blending sound. This new album marks a significant step in that evolution, showcasing both their expanding musical range and a newfound lyrical maturity that delves deeply into the emotional complexities of modern life.
At the core of Edit Undo is the band’s enduring DIY ethos. Rich produced the album himself, demonstrating his growth as a seasoned producer. The duo approached the recording with a relaxed, spontaneous mindset, often entering the studio without fully written songs and allowing the creative process to unfold naturally. "We went into the studio sporadically over the course of a year, sometimes without any new music written, and just saw what came out," they shared in a recent interview. This organic approach has resulted in a cohesive yet varied album, personal yet universally relatable.
Edit Undo doesn’t merely showcase the band's progression; it embodies it. While retaining the warmth of their indie-punk origins, it’s the album’s more contemplative nature that truly shines. Themes such as mental health, regret, and self-renewal are woven into a broader narrative of introspection. The result is a multifaceted piece of work that captures the emotional tug-of-war between uncertainty and hope, presenting moments of existential dread alongside glimmers of infinite possibility. It’s an album that invites listeners to sit with their thoughts, embracing both the discomfort and beauty that come with self-reflection. Perfectly timed with its early autumn release, Edit Undo feels like the ideal soundtrack for a crisp, sunny Sunday afternoon spent in quiet contemplation.
In an era of fast-paced, disposable music, Happy Accidents have adopted a unique strategy for the release of Edit Undo. Rather than simply launching it on streaming platforms, they’ve created a hidden artist profile, accessible only through pre-orders or a secret link. This exclusive portal offers fans early access to the full album, along with alternative versions, singles, and unique narrative elements—all set against a Victorian-themed backdrop. The immersive release approach adds layers of intrigue, encouraging a deeper connection with the album. The idea of this hidden world tied to the release is fascinating, and if the band ever put on a one-off Victorian-themed performance, complete with a cosplaying crowd, I’d be first in line, boarding a steam train to London to experience it firsthand.
The opening track, “Infinite Possibilities”, sets the thematic and musical tone for the album. It explores the limitless ways our minds interpret life’s events, often creating more confusion than clarity. The track grapples with the vast openness of life’s potential, juxtaposed with the internal limits we impose on ourselves. The line "Infinite possibilities / To what our brainwaves could well mean" captures this tension, as the band wrestles with uncertainty. It’s an anthem of possibility, tempered by self-doubt, but the track maintains a sense of resilience, with upbeat energy punctuated by reflective moments.
Following this, "Blink" takes a quieter, more introspective turn, focusing on the power of silence and the things left unsaid. The song delves into non-verbal communication, with Rich singing, "Blink once for yes / For no, blink twice," a subtle reflection on how silence can often convey more than words. The verses are laced with contradictions, illustrating the internal struggles of trying to articulate complex emotions. Musically, the track retains the band’s signature warmth but introduces a melancholy undertone that lingers long after the song ends.
"Dog Day" features Phoebe's cheerbleederz bandmate Sophie MacKenzie. Written on a rainy studio weekend, the song expresses a weariness, almost as if life’s emotional prime has passed by. The track’s lyrics convey a sense of stagnation, but there’s also a defiance in the song, pushing back against the inertia that threatens to hold us down. The slow, deliberate build mirrors this inner conflict, and the collaboration with MacKenzie adds layers to the track's melancholy.
The emotions don’t slow down as we near the midpoint of the album with "Forgive Me". The track addresses the cycle of mistakes and seeking redemption. The recurring refrain, "Forgive me / For For For Give," feels like a mantra, emphasising the yearning for growth and understanding. The vulnerability of this song is striking, as it explores the difficulty of breaking bad habits and the inner battle between self-improvement and self-sabotage. It’s a raw plea for personal growth, despite the inevitable setbacks along the way.
"All Around" explores themes of interconnectedness. The repeated phrase "We are all around" serves as both a comforting reminder and a challenge to break free from emotional isolation. The ethereal instrumentation and soft vocals create a reflective, almost meditative mood, inviting listeners to contemplate the delicate balance between solitude and community.
The album’s second half begins with "4°", a track that evokes a sense of emotional distance and coldness. The metaphor of water "barely 4 degrees" paints a vivid picture of chilliness—both literal and emotional. This track reflects on the gradual erosion of personal relationships, as time and resentment slowly seep away. The reflective mood of the song makes it one of the more melancholic moments on the album, capturing the slow, inevitable fading of connections in life.
My favourite track, and another of the album's standouts, "Makes No Difference," finds its strength in exploring the tension between apathy and hidden emotional depth. The carefree exterior belies a more profound undercurrent, where the narrator outwardly claims indifference but is clearly wrestling with how much everything truly matters. Its juxtaposition of seemingly flippant lines with a growing emotional weight makes for an engaging listen. The song artfully unpacks the complicated feelings we often hide behind nonchalance, creating a poignant reflection on how we relate to life's bigger moments, even when pretending we don't care. "Forty bags of tea in 14 days" stands out for its sharp, almost playful delivery, while the song’s chorus, "It makes no difference to me," captures the internal conflict between outward indifference and inner turmoil. It’s a track that expertly balances humour with deeper emotional layers.
"Awful" brings a stark, existential reflection on the grind of daily life. Blunt lyrics like "Oh, it’s awful, isn’t it / The way it seems to go" capture the frustration of feeling stuck in a cycle of routine. Yet, despite the bleak outlook, the song hints at the possibility of renewal, suggesting that clarity can emerge from the darkest moments.
As the album nears its conclusion, "What’s Left" offers a philosophical meditation on the impermanence of life and the inevitability of change. The stripped-back instrumentation highlights the song’s minimalist approach to lyrics, with Rich and Phoebe contemplating what remains after life’s plans fall apart. There’s no resolution offered here, only an acceptance of life’s uncertainty—a fitting penultimate track as the album leads toward its final statement.
The closing track, "Be Afraid," serves as a sharp, biting commentary on modern life, technology, and the illusion of control. The lyrics, "I’m an all-knowing being / Till my battery runs out," reflect our growing reliance on technology and the false sense of security it provides. The song questions the human desire to control everything in an unpredictable world, especially when natural forces are at play. As the narrator muses on ambition and uncertainty, the song’s darker tone provides a powerful contrast to earlier tracks, leaving listeners with a lingering sense of caution. The closing refrain is as much a warning as it is a reflection, reminding us that life’s unpredictability is both a challenge and an inevitability.
In Edit Undo, Happy Accidents have crafted a thoughtful and immersive album that feels like the natural evolution of their sound. The record balances moments of raw introspection with glimmers of hope, offering a sonically rich journey that invites listeners to pause and reflect. With its early autumn release date, Edit Undo perfectly captures the introspective nature of the season, and I can’t think of a better soundtrack for a long, sunny but cold autumn afternoon, as you ponder life while walking down a winding, muddy track deep into a forest glade, dog in tow. It’s a rarity in today’s fast-paced, streaming-driven music world, where reflection often takes a backseat to instant gratification. By challenging that norm, Edit Undo reintroduces the idea that music can be a deeply personal and emotionally resonant experience—one that lasts long after we take the headphones off.
Edit Undo from Happy Accidents is out 27 September via Alcopop! Records and available on all good streaming platforms.
