The trilogy comes to a close

The trio of EPs released by Belle and Sebastian comes to an end with the release of How
to Solve Our Human Problems Part 3. The Scottish indie-pop group made a tortuous journey
down a rabbit hole of sorts. The goal at the end? To help find a solution to our human problems,
or at least try and take some of the pain away. With initial thoughts and intentions based off of
the book by Buddhist monk, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, titled, (what else but) How to Solve Our
Human Problems, the band paid homage to their loyal, cult-like fans and the world around us.

Just like the first two releases, Part 3 has five tracks and the ’60s influence we didn’t
know we wanted. Each track, similar to the first two releases, does an impeccable job at
creating a dance anthem filled with lyrics about the literal issues we ignore on a daily basis. We
listen to music to get away from these problems and issues, but Belle and Sebastian doesn’t want
us to run from them; they want us to dance to them. Each song does this seamlessly by going
straight from the giddy to the grim and back again. “There is an everlasting gladness of my
heart/ The Stranger looks at me and loves me as I am” and “There is an everlasting sadness all
around/ It’s bigger than the news, from this you cannot run,” are lyrics from “There Is An
Everlasting Song,” and they bridge together just how a rhythm can make you completely
unaware of what you’re actually listening to. The other four tracks from the EP include “Poor
Boy,” “Too Many Tears,” “Best Friend” and “Everything is Now (Part 2).”

Full disclosure, Belle and Sebastian might not be the cure for your depression or anxiety,
but the incredibly familiar lyrics and hopeful undertone just might. To quote everyone’s favorite
rapper, Drake, “I’m here for a good time not a long time.” Belle and Sebastian took the
idea of this phrase and ran with it. The problems and issues will always be there in some way or
another but we can enjoy the parts in-between.