Cole Scheifele - “Happier Now” (ft. Raquel Norland)

Photo by @eastenjack

Denver, Colorado-based singer-songwriter Cole Scheifele is back on the blog with “Happier Now,” a truly divine, folksy duet featuring Raquel Norland.

The song fades in with the swelling of strings before making room for a vibrant display of chords from an acoustic guitar. The mood is warm and intimate, as though the track is being performed right next to you in some quiet corner of the universe.

We do not have to wait long before a magnificent vocal harmony breaks the surface of the arrangement, as both Scheifele and Norland begin delivering lyrics full of hope and longing. And we marvel at the way their voices waltz together as they thoroughly quench our thirst for authentic and honest emotion.

As the hook arrives, Scheifele reaches into his magnificent upper register, reminding us of all the reasons we became fans of his craft in the first place. Norland’s delightful harmony is omnipresent, widening out the sound, with the deep notes of a bass emerging to provide some weight to the production.

Between the lines, careful listeners shall find the quiet, somber notes of a piano, weaving glorious layers into the sonic space. Soft percussion appears around midpoint, providing some delicate forward momentum, yet leaving “Happier Now” with its intimate vibe fully intact.

If you find yourself drawn to the sounds of Gregory Alan Isakov, Leif Vollebekk, or Lord Huron, you are positively going to fall in love with “Happier Now.”

-HD