Alluring alt-pop trio Smallpools give us a taste of their forthcoming project Ghost Town Road (east), with sing-along anthem ‘Fake a Happy Face!’. Combining poignant lyricism with catchy fuzzed-out sonics, the track unpacks the difficulty of separating social media from real life. The infectious yet cathartic offering encapsulates a yearning within us to escape from the weight of the world upon us. Swaying through the mixed emotions of feeling low but trying to keep yourself moving through life, the track is rooted in the band’s bold and magnetic signature sound while also diving to new emotional depths. Framed by nostalgia and vibrance that is set to expand through the whole project, this new offering is a tender touch of relatability. -Malvika Padin