Angus Crowne and the Family Jewels – Everybody Wants To See Me Happy (Album Review)

Get ready for something quirky, soft, yet outrageously fun on Angus Crowne’s 5th studio album, Everybody Wants To See Me Happy.

Angus Crowne is a musician and concert producer who has had the honor of working with Queen, Boy George, Spacehog, and many more. He released his first record in 2016, largely out of a deep desire to keep his dreams alive as he prepared to enter middle age. Since then, he has already put out three more full records, and now he’s finally ready to strike the world with his 5th album—Everybody Wants To See Me Happy.

Angus’s music can be quirky, but it’s also aggressive and soft, which is why he created his own genre: Uke-Billy Punk Rock! For him, it blends the base emotions that we all experience in life. His band has been playing venues on the West Coast since 2016 and even had a successful UK tour in 2019.

Now, in 2025, Angus Crowne is ready to shine in the next chapter of his career with his 5th studio album, Everybody Wants To See Me Happy.

From the first listen, you’re immediately immersed in the dynamic yet sarcastic tone of Angus’s delivery. Take the second track, “Lullaby Blues Revisited,” for example, where you don’t necessarily get much lyrical depth but instead a comical delivery of saying “F*ck You” in different intonations throughout the track.

This joyful, minimalistic, and sometimes offbeat approach creates a childlike feel. I wouldn’t necessarily say this execution blows your mind, but it certainly provides a few laughs because of its singular structure. However, if you think this sums up the album, you’d be wrong.

On tracks like “Love Ditty,” Angus explores a slightly less dynamic and more profound sound, one that feels much more expansive than his ventures into a more whimsical style. I really dig this track, as it provides a significant shift in the album’s tone and serves as the first deviation from its primary sound. It’s worth mentioning that I said “first.” On the next track, “You And Me,” Angus confidently dives into a blend of shoegaze and epic rock that feels simply grandiose. It later develops into a dark sound that isn’t otherwise heavily characterized in the album. Quite frankly, these two tracks stand out the most for me, as they represent two major deviations that feel incredibly progressive.

For the most part, the sound of the record leans into almost cartoonish tones mixed with melodies of curiosity and softness. Angus’s delivery defines this cheerful and dynamic vibe, with rhythmic and bouncy sounds. While the instrumentals engage in a “tiptoes” sensation, building dynamic and eccentric momentum, they never lose that playful quality.

I feel as though Angus’s execution is what makes this album so memorable, whether it’s the soft side of him, the silly side, or the satirical and direct side. Somehow, he makes it all work across different soundscapes, flourishing musically and keeping the listener smiling throughout. It’s a quirky album with gentle surprises that add new layers to the experience with each listen.

Score/Good: It’s an interesting record, to say the least. It showcases the progression of Angus as an artist while fully entertaining the listener. It might not grab you at first, but the soft-toned yet playful sound design is undeniably charming.

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