Portland, OR based emo outfit, Wedding Singer, follow up 2023’s Nosebleeds with 14 party emo bangers on Maybe Not Happy, But Content.

Purchase digital copies on Bandcamp.

Self-released on all platforms on August 26th, 2025.

I have gained the reputation over the years of being too self-serious. Shit, I’ve been called pretentious, both in jest and in earnest. I attribute this to my aloof demeanor, my need for clear categorization, and my face. To combat this perception, I will continue to demonstrate that I enjoy things that are fun. Speaking of fun, is there anything more fun than an emo band at a house show? Wedding Singer, the Portland, Oregon based emo quintet, conjures that feeling with their new LP Maybe Not Happy, But Content. I can almost taste the chilled (but not cold) PBR.

The LP opens with “[12/15/16]”, a solo acoustic piece from lead vocalist and rhythm guitar player Adam Ruhl, which is a bold choice when considering how up-tempo the rest of the record is. Ruhl’s lyrics, witty, self-deprecating lines that straddle the line between candid and melodramatic, are front and center, setting the tone for the lyrics to come. “Last Day of December (Yes, I know, New Year’s Eve. Can I Take a Sip of Your Cigarette?)” builds upon both the down-tempo feel of the opener by adding the rest of the band and the time honored tradition of emo bands coming up with nonsensical song titles. The vocal layers in the build at the end are a treat and feel anthemic. For my money, it’s the high point of the first two tracks.

“The Rent is Due” is a proper emo pop banger, complete with a synth lead that reaches out and grabs your ear. The chorus, with it’s hard cuts and gang vocals, feels triumphant before dropping the listener off in a stripped down outro with some wonderful harmonies. The LP’s single, “Day Drinking Pt. 3: This Time It’s Personal” keeps the pace cooking with a fun lead and some herky-jerk rhythm playing that is sure to get your head bobbing. We get another triumphant ending before changing pace a bit with “DRUNK SEX! The Musical,” which may have my favorite grooves and vocals on the LP.

Are you tired of me writing out these song titles? That’s too bad, because next up is “The Only Game You’re Good at is Shuffelboard,” a slow burn, as far as Wedding Singer tracks go, with its minute long introduction and four minute run time. “Back in the S.S.R.I.” is a quick hit that builds, gives you an anthemic section, and then solos its way out. Dylan Nanney has been dancing all over this record, but the lead playing really takes center stage on “Jokes About Dying.” The lead over the chorus plays off the vocals in the best way.

“Can You Pass Me a Bud Lite Seltzer, Bro?” keeps the party humming along with its syncopated rhythm, bass, and drums in the verses. The halftime feel in the back third is a welcome wrinkle, and I was left wanting more. I really love the synths on this record, and “Charlie Day From “The Lego Movie” may be the high water mark for their impact. They lend a pop/dance aesthetic to the track that makes it stand out. “Give Me a Wine Cooler or I’ll Riot” is a brisk minute and a half ripper that functions as a bit of a break before the chunky final three songs.

“Hearsey’s Kiss” feels a bit more somber than the rest of the record the precedes it, partially because of it’s more adventurous chord progression during the prechorus and a slinky shuffle from Alex Berlinas during the bridge. “Drunk Drivers and Convenience Store Clerks” is such a change of pace that it almost feels like a different band out of the gate with it’s near country sensibilities. It builds from there before settling into a driving feel that feels reminiscent of Spanish Love Songs. The bridge is a master class in how a rhythm section can build interest during a solo, and the outro is the most anthemic section of an album full of anthems. As songwriters, this is Wedding Singer at their best. “Who’s Gonna Have to Find Your Body” is a bookend to the subdued opener, keeping it down-tempo for three quarters of it’s length before exploding into a big outro that goes out in a wall of feedback.

I’ve been friends with Alex Berlinas for a long while at this point. We played a lot of shows together, and we briefly had a project together (RIP Some Say This Place is Haunted). As a result, Wedding Singer has been on my radar for a long time. Their energy has always been infectious, but I think they have hit that proverbial next gear with Maybe Not Happy, But Content, solidifying their sound and playing to their strengths.

Stream Maybe Not Happy, But Content and purchase digital copies on Bandcamp.

For fans of: Anthemic choruses, synth melodies, and playful rhythms

Perfect for: DIY house party weddings

Favorite track: “Drunk Drivers and Convenience Store Clerks”

Rating: 8.5/10