Wallows is a 3-piece indie-rock band from Los Angeles, California. The band consists of Braeden Lemasters (lead singer/guitarist), Dylan Minnette (also lead singer/guitarist/keyboardist) and Cole Preston (drummer).
Wallows released their first song,“Pleaser” back in 2017 followed with 4 singles by the start of 2018. They then released their first EP in April of 2018 titled “Spring EP ” after releasing the lead singles “Pictures of Girls” and “These Days.” Now, a year later, they’ve released their debut album, “Nothing Happens” after releasing “Are You Bored Yet? (ft. Clairo)”, “Scrawny,” and “Sidelines.”
Only Friend: Immediately, this song starts out with some amazing guitar followed by some groovy bass. Dylan Minnette’s vocals are low and smooth in this song. After the beginning, the drums pick up with the beat and you automatically want to get up and dance. This song, like many of theirs, has a nice aesthetic and is considered “dancy.” The instrumental part towards the end of the song just takes your breath away.
Treacherous Doctor: The previous song transitions very smoothly right into the beginning of this song. Right after it starts, there are fast drums and a pleasant guitar. It gets louder and louder until you hear Braeden’s calming voice, then the music gets quiet. About a minute into the song, Dylan’s voice comes in and their voices compliment each other so well. Then, it gets very loud again, it is followed by another guitar, then goes back to loud once more before Braeden comes back in. The drums throughout this song are very upbeat. The song ends in a sudden, smooth way.
Sideline: The third and final single for this album. It starts out with some really nice guitar and drums again along with an 80s type of sound in the background. Braeden’s vocals come in with a smooth falsetto. There are many layers to this song that go together so smoothly. About a minute and a half in, there’s a short instrumental part that’s really soothing. This one is calming, yet you still want to get up and dance to it. The lyrics are also relatable, especially the line, “I drove all night until I started to cry. All because I saw a world without you and I.”
Are You Bored Yet? (ft. Clairo): The first of three singles to be released for this album. They also made a music video for this one. The intro keyboard has a calm aesthetic, along with the whole song. Dylan’s voice comes in with the beat. During the chorus, the drums, guitar, keyboard, and really everything sounds calming and soothing. Then, Clairo comes in with such a beautiful voice. This is definitely a song you want to dance to, but also just want to lay there and listen. The instrumental part at the end is easily the most aesthetically pleasing thing I have ever heard.
Scrawny: The second single released for this album. This is the only other song from this album that has a music video so far. It starts with a rapid beat and shortly after, it is followed by Dylan’s vocals. This song is by far the most upbeat from this album. The best thing about this song is what he’s saying. While the chorus is explicit, it is very catchy. Throughout this whole song, you can’t help but bop your head. About two minutes in, it slows down with some keyboard and guitar, then Dylan sings a little quicker before it picks back up. This time there are no pauses in the music at all. The ending is a very short instrumental part, consisting of mostly drums.
Ice Cold Pool: It starts out with some groovy saxophone, followed by a nice bass line and Braeden’s voice. The saxophone and guitar pick back up, and it gradually gets smoother during the chorus. There’s a short instrumental part before Braeden comes back in with a slower beat. There’s a line from one of their singles, “Underneath the Streetlights in the Winter Outside Your House.” Then it picks back up. Overall, this song is very groovy with an old-school vibe. Towards the end, there are some really nice drums, and it slowly gets louder before going back to the chorus once more. Braeden’s voice is almost hypnotizing in this song. It closes out with how it started; the saxophone and the guitar.
Worlds Apart: Starts out with really nice guitar and drums, and it starts to build up before Braeden comes in This song is much more calming and makes me feel like I’m in a movie. During the chorus, there’s just Braeden’s vocals, guitar, and drums. The rest of the sounds come back in for a small instrumental part. This one is sad, but doesn’t necessarily make you feel sad because of the beat and Braeden’s calming voice. At the end, there’s an instrumental part for about a minute that is just so beautiful, it’s almost indescribable.
What You Like: The last song ends kind of abruptly, but the loud bass carries over to the beginning of this song, making an oddly good transition. Dylan’s voice quickly comes in with some really nice drums and bass. The song picks up with some guitar, then slows back down. The beat in this song really adds a lot to it. There’s an instrumental part that you really just want to dance to. The music stops and it’s just Dylan singing. Then, drums slowly come back in and pick up before the chorus. This song is probably my favorite off of this album.
Remember When: The guitar is quick and nice. It stops for a second, then the rest of the music comes in with an even more amazing guitar and faster drums. Dylan comes in before going back to an instrumental. Braeden comes in, with a smooth transition between them. There’s a part where they go “oh oh oh oh” and it sounds so perfect, their voices complimenting each other so well. Dylan comes back in with a slower beat, it stops, then picks back up with them both singing. I’d have to say this song is tied for my favorite along with “What You Like.”
I’m Full: Dylan’s voice along with a guitar come in very quickly. Drums slowly come in while Dylan sings so smoothly. It’s just music for a few seconds before it picks up some with really nice bass and Dylan sings a little differently than in the beginning. This is the kind of song you’d have on loop while taking a nice drive. There’s a nice instrumental part that gets loud before it goes quiet. Dylan’s voice sounds like an echo. He yells and then it’s back to the amazing instrumental part with the really nice drums. Dylan comes back in for the chorus once more before it ends.
Do Not Wait: The transition is so smooth. If you aren’t looking, it will take awhile before you notice it changed. Dylan’s voice in this song is low, and sounds very nice. This song is very quiet and slow. The “do not wait, I’ll be there” really hits a spot in your emotions. This whole song does. This song is so comforting with the low music and Dylan’s quiet, soothing voice. It starts to gradually get loud about two minutes in before it goes to a really nice acoustic guitar. Then, there are drums and an electric guitar. There’s a voice talking, and in between sentences, Dylan sings “Nothing Happens,” the album title. It goes back to the chorus with the voice talking every now and then. This song is by far the most calming and emotional. This is definitely one of my favorites off of this album.
Overall, this is the best album I’ve heard in awhile. It’s aesthetically beautiful, it’s danceable, and gives off an 80s vibe. It’s everything you could ever ask for and more. Listening to it is such an experience. I would say more about it, but it has really left me speechless. So, go experience it yourself! You’ll be so happy you did.
Make sure to follow Wallows on social media: @wallowsmusic
Check out the new album here: https://wallows.lnk.to/NothingHappens
Written by Jalen and edited by Nat!
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