Audren Returns With Feel-Good Track “Smile, People Smile”
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If you ever feel like the universe is personally out to get you, Audren has been there too. She’s an artist based in France who actually spent months feeling like everything that could go wrong, did. She felt cursed by Murphy’s Law, lost her energy, and just needed a win. One day she literally stood in front of her microphone and told herself, “Come on, Audren, smile! You’re gonna be fine.” That exact moment is how her new single, “Smile, People Smile,” was born.
Audren isn’t your typical pop star. Years ago, David Guetta told her she makes “music for musicians,” which basically means her stuff is way more interesting and polished than the stuff you hear on repeat at the mall. She’s had a wild career—from having a video game character modeled after her to becoming a bestselling author after a battle with Lyme disease temporarily took her voice. Now she’s back, and she’s brought the “crème de la crème” of jazz and soul musicians with her.
“Smile, People Smile” is a total mood-shifter. It’s got a very cool 90s R&B flavor, but the horn arrangements sound like something straight out of a classic Donald Fagen record. It’s bubbly, energetic, and features a bluesy guitar solo by her partner Chris Rime that makes the whole thing feel very human. The bass and drums keep a steady groove that makes it feel like you just walked into a party where everyone is already having a blast.
What makes this track special is the message. Audren isn’t telling you to smile because life is perfect. She’s telling you to smile so that you feel better. It’s a bit of a “fake it till you make it” strategy for your brain. Scientifically, it releases all those good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, and Audren uses that as a tool to fight off the “disrupted world” we live in.
The song is part of her upcoming album Think Freedom, which is a real family affair. Her daughters, Sydney and Jemily, are even featured on the project. It’s soulful, intimate, and designed to heal. If you’re tired of dull, cookie-cutter music, this is the kind of indie pop that actually has some brains and a lot of heart behind it. You can find her singles on the usual spots, but if you want the full album, you’ll have to head over to Bandcamp. It’s worth it just to hear that contagious laughter in the outro of this track.
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