Happiness, Guaranteed

Mansionair’s second album, Happiness, Guaranteed, is all about the journey we embark on to attain contentment and peace. That journey looks different for everybody, but ultimately—as the Sydney electronic/indie trio aim to prove—it pays to perceive each difficult turn as a teachable experience, and to enjoy each moment of happiness found at different points along the way.

The 15-track double album demonstrates Mansionair’s expansive sound and the ease with which they can navigate sound and texture. It’s reflective of the myriad emotions they experienced while creating it: a trio at a crossroads, deciding which creative direction to take next and, ultimately, what makes them happy. The brashness of songs like “Strangers” and “Don’t Wait”—collaborations with Dom Dolla and Yahtzel, respectively—represent the tailor-made club energy Mansionair have infused into their live shows. And then, the delicate nature of “Mirror Me” and “A Little Lost” prove they can strip things back and explore more nuanced songwriting.

“Shallow Water” is a moment of poignancy that reflects how Mansionair have galvanized their dynamic through hard times. The song itself is minimal in sound compared to the dance-leaning energy of, say, “Guillotine” or “Next High” but still captivates with its lofty arrangement and hypnotic vocal. Written during a period of frustration and fracture for Mansionair, “Shallow Water” became their way of working through the tension, and they emerged stronger and more unified than before.