High on the Happy Side

Released in 1991, High on the Happy Side represents a significant stylistic recalibration for Wet Wet Wet. Following the massive success of their earlier work, the band opted to move away from the synthesizer-heavy pop-rock of 'Holding Back the River' and return to the soul-influenced foundations of their debut. The album is notable for its 'unplugged' ethos before the trend became a marketing staple, featuring several acoustic-leaning tracks and a heavy emphasis on live-feeling piano and vocal arrangements. While critics at the time noted a certain flimsiness in the songwriting compared to their peers, the album was a commercial triumph, spearheaded by the ubiquitous ballad 'Goodnight Girl.' This track, in particular, solidified Marti Pellow's status as one of the era's premier blue-eyed soul vocalists. The record is also distinguished by its sophisticated use of vocal harmonies, which are more prominent here than on any of their previous releases. It stands as a bridge between their 80s pop origins and their 90s status as adult contemporary staples.