Singles Spotlight:
Happy Just to See You – “Miracle Jacket”

Hello reader,

How are you today?

I’m excited to discuss another band that has flown too under the radar to this point and has been making some great music for a while now: Happy Just to See You. The New England-based indie alt-country emo band comprises members split between New Hampshire and Boston. In 2019, they released their self-titled debut album, followed by their second album, Ways to Cope (2024). According to the press release for their newest album, Last Week’s Horse, which was released recently on May 15th, the band’s sound is, “resulting in a twangy and earnest kind of indie-rock. While they’ve always had at least a touch of Americana and folk, their next record takes it up a notch, along with the tempo.” Love the warm, welcoming vibes of the band’s name, coupled with the description of their sound.

Happy Just to See You (often stylized HJ2CU) was formed in late 2017 and is fronted by lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Evan Benoit. Evan Yarmo plays bass guitar and contributes backing vocals. Matt Bacon plays drums, percussion, and contributes backing vocals, and Zachary Glennon plays violin, viola, and cello and contributes backing vocals. According to the press release, “Evan had a life-threatening accident in 2018, being hit by a car and pinned to a tree — he even had to relearn how to walk. Evan emphasizes having his lyrics open enough for interpretation, but they’re informed by his lived experiences, from this existential experience to recent lessons in therapy.”

While they’re a new band to me, having heard about them earlier this year, I will say that I really like their sound and fell in love with it quickly. Especially the overall sound of the new album, on which HJ2CU teamed up with frequent collaborator Bradford Krieger (Ian Sweet, Horse Jumper Of Love, Friendship), who produced, mixed, and mastered it, and played instrumentation. This album also saw the band team up with Courtney Swain, who provided additional vocals, played keys, and engineered the album, Last Week’s Horse.

Giving credit where it’s due:

• Evan Benoit: vocals, guitars
• Evan Yarmo: bass, backing vocals
• Matt Bacon: drums, percussion, backing vocals
• Zachary Glennon: violin, viola, cello, backing vocals
• Additional vocals by Bradford Krieger and Courtney Swain
• Additional guitars by Bradford Krieger
• Keys by Courtney Swain
• Engineered by Courtney Swain
• Produced, mixed, and mastered by Bradford Krieger.
• All songs written by Happy Just to See You
• All words by Evan Benoit
• Recorded at Big Nice Studio, Lincoln, Rhode Island

In SWT’s opinion, one of the best songs on the Last Week’s Horse album is “Miracle Jacket.” I like it a lot. And know you will too. So I’m thrilled to be able to share the song today as part of our beloved Singles Spotlight series. This song begins with what I’d describe as a summery, vibe, feel-good melody shredding on guitars and rock-solid tempo on drums. Full of hope? Not quite, but it will alter your mood for the better, as it earworms its way into your brain, like catchy, good songs do. Benoit’s vocals are delivered matter-of-factly, as this is commonplace for both Benoit and the band, and the lyrics are appreciative and longing. The closing of the song sees backing vocals that create a layer to the chorus. Kudos to that, I’m sold. It’s a catchy melody and tune in general. You’ll soon see for yourself. I think the song serves well as any on the album as an intro to HJ2CU.

Listen for yourself and tell me what you think. Click play to hear the song “Miracle Jacket”:

What’d you think?

Check out the cover art and track list for Last Week’s Horse:

The track list for  Last Week’s Horse:

1. Last Week’s Horse [2:14]
2. Miracle Jacket [2:36]
3. Phone Book [1:49]
4. (21st Century) Soft Boy [2:24]
5. Rat U Out [2:18]
6. Bumper [2:43]
7. Skipping Stones [3:26]
8. Act Natural [2:56]
9. The Bachelor [2:23]
10. Rawhide Room [2:41]
11. Everything I Am [2:11]

Alex M Theel

Co-Founder, Reviewer, Content Creator, Business side, Editor at Scummy Water Tower Productions | Web

Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site, scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions and SWT Interviews. And all of our socials.
Questions, feedback, or more? Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com