Music Review: "Happier Now" - Movements
- Seth Parker
- 11 hours ago
- 4 min read
Is it worth it? Because I have been searching for a new album that I can play on repeat this, Autumn. Southern California's post-hardcore band Movements will be releasing their Fourth studio album "Happier Now" Which will release September 4th, 2026, via Fearless Records. Will Yip also returned as a producer for this newest release.
Happier Now ended up becoming a full circle moment for the band; it has had moments where members had no clue on what they wanted the album to be. But they had a general idea to bring early elements to their sound and blend it with the newer material like their 2023 album RUCKUS! The final result turned into an album that's as expansive as it is emotional, and it takes the band's signature sound to a heightened level.
"Pulse" is a song that is worth it literally. It is a perfect blend of their older and newer sounds. It never lets up and never feels boring, and I could have it on repeat all the time regardless of wherever I'm at.
"Dissolve Me" and "Back in My Ways" came out on May 8th marking the beginning of the first singles to be released. “Dissolve Me” Features Tense riffs and layered harmonies that will have you jumping up and down in the pit. It was also the first song written for the album; "Dissolve Me" pretty much formed the album with the band members putting in their own social behaviors and the countless challenges they face in their 'normal' everyday interactions into their music.
"Everything Is Fine" was the third single to release on June 12th, 2026. Most of the song is set up slower until it gets to your more emotional moments that are yelled out into the mic that ends up talking about their emotions, so they will lie and tell themselves that everything is fine.
"Happier Now" has heavier vocals with such an emotion in it that really makes you question, are you happier now than you were before? It sounds like they are questioning themselves, and it feels very real.
"Flower Bed" is more of a calming song, but it does repeat and goes for a bit longer than I would like. The ending does pick up, and it has a pretty nice focus on guitar buildup towards the end.
“Back In My Ways” is a song that goes back to the band's roots, featuring more of their sadder tones. It's something the band was hesitant to slip back into, but it turned into a slow burn song that ended up becoming one of their favorite tracks on the record. It features post-hardcore feels with slow vocals that turn into a torrent of riffs and a rush of emotional vocals.
"Spellbound" leads to "Ill at Ease" as sort of an intermission between songs and it's a nice short break. The middle of "Ill at Ease" has an awesome buildup towards the later part of the song, and it feels like an entire crowd could crouch down and jump at the same time.
"Live by the Sword" ended up becoming the Fifth and final single that was released on August 14th, 2026. It had hushed vocal chants that turned into powerful vocals that were powered by mid-tempo tensions that have become such a definitive hallmark for Movements sound. It is everything that fans of the band and this genre have come to know and love about Movements.
"Everyone I’ve Ever Been" sounds like no matter how many times you try and change. You are still the same person regardless of whatever you do to change yourself.
"Fragile Hands" feels like everything you have worked toward is just outside of your grasp that you can never reach. The guitar is the focus in the song where the vocals are there, but it's out of reach.
"Separate" was the fourth single that was released on July 10th. It has become one of my personal favorite songs from the album. It has slow but mesmerizing riffs in the background and soothing ballads throughout the song that progressively gets louder to keep you coming back for more.
Movements will be on the road for a US headline tour Starting in October that leads through November. "Balance and Composure", "Midrift", and "NIIS" will join as support for Movements upcoming US Tour. With 24 separate cities there should be something for you! I can tell this will be a show you will not want to miss out on!
HAPPIER NOW TRACK LISTING:
"Pulse"
"Everything Is Fine"
"Happier Now"
"Flowerbed"
"Spellbound"
"Ill at Ease"
"Live by the Sword"
"Everyone I’ve Ever Been"
"Fragile Hands"
"Separate"
MOVEMENTS: 2026 TOUR DATES
Sep. 12 – 13, 2026 México, Mexico Vans Warped Tour Mexico City 2026
Oct. 7, 2026 Seattle, WA Showbox SoDo
Oct. 8, 2026 Portland, OR McMenamins Crystal Ballroom
Oct. 10, 2026 San Jose, CA San Jose Civic
Oct. 12, 2026 Salt Lake City, UT The Complex
Oct. 14, 2026 Denver, CO Mission Ballroom
Oct. 15, 2026 Omaha, NE Steelhouse Omaha
Oct. 17, 2026 Cleveland, OH Agora Theater & Ballroom
Oct. 18, 2026 Chicago, IL The Salt Shed
Oct. 20, 2026 Royal Oak, MI Royal Oak Music Theatre
Oct. 21, 2026 Pittsburgh, PA Stage AE
Oct. 23, 2026 New York, NY Terminal 5
Oct. 24, 2026 Philadelphia, PA Franklin Music Hall
Oct. 25, 2026 Boston, MA Roadrunner
Oct. 28, 2026 Silver Spring, MD The Fillmore Silver Spring
Oct. 30, 2026 Richmond, VA The National
Oct. 31, 2026 Norfolk, VA The NorVa
Nov. 2, 2026 Raleigh, NC The Ritz
Nov. 4, 2026 St Petersburg, FL Jannus Live
Nov. 6, 2026 Orlando, FL Hard Rock Live Orlando
Nov. 7, 2026 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
Nov. 10, 2026 San Antonio, TX Boeing Center at Tech Port
Nov. 11, 2026 Dallas, TX The Bomb Factory
Nov. 13, 2026 Mesa, AZ Mesa Amphitheatre
Nov. 14, 2026 Santa Ana, CA Observatory OC
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