Michigan metalcore outfit, Of Virtue, are giving voice to one of the quietest, most common struggles in their brand new single, ‘What’s It Like To Be Happy’, out now via Arising Empire. Released in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the track arrives as the third and most intimate chapter in an already commanding 2026, following the explosive reception to previous singles, ‘Death Of The Altar’ and ‘The Art Of Love’.
Stream here: https://arisingempire.com/ofvirtue
Holding a mirror to the part of depression that is the hardest to admit, Of Virtue tackle articulating the gap between who you are and who you want to be, and how insurmountable that gap can feel on the worst days. Rooted in the debilitating effects of depression and all that follows, “‘What’s It Like To Be Happy’ leans into the disconnect of watching life carry on around you while you stay perfectly, painfully still.
In doing so, the track continues the band’s ongoing focus on the emotional and relational toll that addiction, mental health, and the stigma surrounding both leave in their wake. The brand new track, co-written alongside Lee Albrecht (Bilmuri, The Devil Wears Prada, etc) and Evan McKeever (Starset, Koe Wetzel, etc), adds another chapter to the story they began on their 2023 record, OMEN, which has amassed an impressive 65 million streams since its release.
True to the band’s unflinching commitment to honesty and their longstanding advocacy for mental health awareness, vocalist Tyler Ennis reflects: “When we were writing this song, the title itself was a question that was asked out loud in a somewhat joking way – but hit me in all the ways I didn’t think it could. A lot of the experiences that I’ve had to go through in my adult life flashed through my mind in the blink of an eye. The loss of family members, revolving door toxic relationships, body dysmorphia/health issues were the tip of the iceberg. I was diagnosed with ADHD, my dopamine levels have been nonexistent or been overloaded constantly.
“Imposter syndrome and identity issues have put me in some of the worst depressive states I have ever experienced and there were times where I wondered out loud if this is the way my life would be forever.
In some of my darker moments as well, I turned to the wrong things to try and make myself feel better. Being a people pleaser and putting others before myself, self medication and not holding myself accountable was on full display. Posting only the “happy” moments on social media for validation, looking at other people and wishing I could feel the way that they did – not realizing in real time that a lot of them are also doing the same thing. It creates this weird feedback loop where everyone is pretending for everyone else and no one is truly happy at all.”
Catch the band live supporting Unprocessed:
29/09 — Brussels, BE — Botanique
01/10 — Manchester, UK — Academy 3
02/10 — London, UK — Electric Ballroom
03/10 — Paris, FR — Maroquinerie
04/10 — Tilburg, NL — 013 Next Stage
05/10 — Nijmegen, NL — Doornroosje
06/10 — Cologne, DE — Gebaude 9
07/10 — Hamburg, DE — Kent Club
08/10 — Berlin, DE — Hole 44
09/10 — Munich, DE — Strom
10/10 — Frankfurt, DE — Batschkapp
