Never Happy, Ever After
As It Is · 2015
36 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock
A vibrant blend of catchy melodies and introspective lyrics, capturing the struggles of youth with an alternative rock edge.
Top tracks — play these first
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Cheap Shots & Setbacks — This track encapsulates the album's theme of confronting personal failures while maintaining a catchy chorus that invites listeners to sing along, balancing vulnerability with energy.
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Drowning Deep in Doubt — Featuring introspective lyrics that delve into anxiety and self-doubt, this track highlights the band's ability to blend emotional depth with infectious melodies.
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Silence (Pretending's So Comfortable) — The closing track offers a poignant reflection on isolation and societal expectations, showcasing As It Is' lyrical strength and leaving a lasting emotional impact.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features energetic melodies and introspective lyrics but lacks standout compositions that elevate it.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track and maintains a fast tempo for the first five songs before slowing down in the second half.
- Several tracks feature dual vocal lines, allowing for a dynamic interplay between lead and backing vocals.
- The lyrics often explore themes of self-doubt and personal struggle, which are reflected in the melodic choices and arrangements.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short bursts of emotional release
- catchy hooks for sing-alongs
- reflective moments on self-doubt
- melodic energy for road trips
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, sprawling albums
- seek purely instrumental sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2015, 'Never Happy, Ever After' was As It Is' debut album, arriving at a time when the band was establishing their presence in the UK alternative rock scene. By this point, they had garnered attention through a series of EPs and significant touring, setting the stage for their first full-length project.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Tonight Alive· We Are the In Crowd· PVRIS
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Speak Soft 3:15
- 2 Cheap Shots & Setbacks 2:53
- 3 Sorry 2:59
- 4 Drowning Deep in Doubt 3:47
- 5 Dial Tones 3:19
- 6 My Oceans Were Lakes 3:48
- 7 Concrete 2:57
- 8 Turn Back to Me 2:56
- 9 Can't Save Myself 3:46
- 10 Silence (Pretending's So Comfortable) 3:42
- 11 You, the Room & the Devil on Your Shoulder 2:55
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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