Over the years, Irish singer-songwriter Robert Grace has drawn fans in with his compassionate and relatable music. He knows how to craft that perfect melody that gets stuck in your head for days at a time. His lyrics will make listeners feel as if he is reading their minds, each line tapping into a certain thought or idea that many have but few convey. With his skills, Robert has generated quite the following on TikTok, amassing over 3 million fans and counting. Whether it’s the notes we hear or the words he sings, Robert’s songs are a gift as well as a tool. On his debut album, Happy Sad Songs, he compiles these tools into one stunning project that is meant to be enjoyed in more ways than one.
A fitting album to honor Mental Health Awareness Month, Happy Sad Songs addresses various issues that others may be struggling with on a personal level. Listeners will recognize previous singles like “Fake Fine,” “Hate Me,” and “Not OK,” which touch on mental health in a way that is genuine but humorous at the same time. There’s also “Reasons,” “Euphoria,” and “Casper,” the latter of which has over 20 million global streams. Each of these have held up nicely over the years, or months in some cases, flawlessly blending together to tell Robert’s unique story.
Fans will also be treated to new songs on Happy Sad Songs, such as “SOS.” Embodying the album title, “SOS” contains upbeat music but low-spirited lyrics. Throughout the track, we hear sleek and mellow verses that are accentuated with steady rhythms, which burst into chipper choruses with perky pop rock melodies. Meanwhile, the lyrics are not as vibrant, but they still make an impact. Robert sings, “SOS, can anyone hear me? / I’m too stressed, I’m not thinking clearly / Try my best to not let it kill me / I really need somebody,” affecting those who might feel lonely or lost.
Telling us more about the album, Robert shares,
“What does ‘Happy Sad Songs’ mean to me? Well, I’ve always described my songs as happy sad songs because I love having happy music and then a sad story and mixing them both together. And I think it kind of hits everyone because those who are just enjoying the music will think, ‘This is really good and really happy.’ And then the people who like to dive into the lyrics will see the deeper message. So I (kind of) enjoy the kind of hidden aspect to it all.
“Music is my outlet for everything. I’m not great at talking about how I’m feeling, but I find it very easy to put it into songs, and then I feel better. I sometimes feel very alone, even when I’m surrounded, and I know there are a lot of people out there that feel the same. I want people to know that it’s okay to feel the way you’re feeling. You’re not going to feel that way forever. You’re loved, and there are people who care about you. Essentially, I want to let people know there’s a group of us out there that feel the same.”
You can listen to Happy Sad Songs on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud.
Catch Robert on tour next month here.
Keep up with Robert Grace: TikTok // Facebook // Instagram // X // YouTube
