By: Emma Kopelowicz
June 07, 2020

You wouldn’t expect someone who’s 6 ft. 6 in. to go by the name BabyJake. That’s exactly why singer-songwriter Jake Herrring chose the ironic moniker. The literal big goof ball is known for his fun and youthful party tracks that are all about living it up and making it look good. 

On “MadHappySad,” BabyJake pivots in a new direction and shows that even a man with a lovable, larger-than-life personality can suffer through a toxic relationship. “I fell in love with a woman/I was giving her all she asked and more,” confesses in the opening line. The singer laments the fact that his lover won’t confront her “demons” and instead she takes out her emotions on the artist.

Despite the woeful tone of the lyrics, “MadHappySad” is proof that BabyJake can make one fresh, genre bending bop. Channeling the effortless cool of a seventies rock star and the undeniable swagger of a modern-day rapper, the singer uses his slick vocals to cover this song in a thick coat of nostalgia. There is even a slight hint of early 2000’s inspired alt-pop in this track’s snappy melodies, and for a hot second BabyJake even sounds like a young Adam Levine. “MadHappySad” is the bold on-the-verge-of-a-breakup track we needed to hear, and if you know anyone who needs a wakeup call, too, pass this song along. Stream the track below, and tell us what you think of it on social media at: @gasmaskmagazine. Feel free to connect with our writer as well: @emkopel!

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