S J Denney’s ‘Happy Ever After’ EP offers an intimate glimpse into the heart and mind of a seasoned songwriter navigating change and growth. Rooted in Suffolk, Denney draws from a lifetime of musical exploration- from choir boy beginnings to self-taught guitar mastery- to craft a record that is as personal as it is diverse.
Opening with the gentle acoustic strains of ‘Welcome Home’, the EP sets a reflective tone. The track, enhanced by the delicate timbre of an ocarina, captures the warmth of a homecoming, drawing inspiration from Foo Fighters’ understated intros. It’s a subtle but captivating start that invites listeners to settle in for the journey ahead.
‘Friends and Lovers’, with its Afrobeat-inspired rhythms, stands out as a vibrant highlight. Denney’s love for global music traditions shines here, infusing the track with a lively pulse that feels celebratory and fresh. It’s a bold venture into new territory that pays off beautifully.
The EP’s complexity deepens with ‘According to You’, a sprawling and layered composition. Its gradual build, enriched by an array of instrumentation, positions it as a soft yet confident anthem, offering a meditative counterpoint to the EP’s more upbeat moments.
Denney’s experimental spirit takes centre stage in ‘A Lucky Escape (Parts 1 & 2)’, the EP’s ambitious closer. Evoking echoes of Pink Floyd’s multi-faceted storytelling, the track explores themes of transformation and freedom with a cinematic sweep. It’s a fitting culmination to an EP inspired by the life changes surrounding Denney’s move from Essex to Suffolk.
The title-track ‘Happy Ever After’ appears as a hidden gem, a minimalist piano composition that feels like a reflective epilogue. Written on his mother-in-law’s piano, it carries a cinematic quality, as if scoring the credits of a deeply personal film.
With ‘Happy Ever After’, S J Denney pushes his boundaries while staying true to his core as a storyteller. Each track feels like a chapter in a larger narrative, blending introspection with musical exploration. For fans of heartfelt, genre-blurring songwriting, this EP is a rich and rewarding listen.
