No matter how you discovered Los Angeles alternative band, Wallows, chances are you’ll be hooked for life. Whether you just heard that “the dude from Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why has a band” or you fell in love with the epic eighties sensibilities of “Pictures Of Girls,” there’s no denying their ability to hook a listener immediately.
Comprised of Braeden Lemasters, Dylan Minnette, and Cole Preston, Wallows have a way with words and sounds that one can only describe as nostalgic. Add in the innocence of being in one’s feelings and the pains of growing up and you’ve got yourself a driving force for every crafted track.
It’s very rare to find an album-minded band these days. In the age of streaming, digital music, and instant gratification, albums have been tuned out, and often, put on the back-burner in favor of shorter forms of digestible material like EPs or weekly single releases. Luckily for us and other hardcore music fans out there, Wallows are here to save the day, and possibly the industry with their debut album, Nothing Happens – a cohesive body of work that is sure to dazzle even the shortest of attention spans for more than fifteen minutes.
With a lot to discover and digest, the term “Easter egg” runs rampant throughout the entire debut, so I guess it’s safe to say that everything is happening with this one if you want to get punny about it.
Opening with the glorious “Only Friend,” it’s pretty evident early on that this was what the band has been building up to over the past two years – from their 2017 debut of “Pleaser” to the release of 2018’s Spring EP. The urge to go on a sunny road trip with the breeze by your side will be a reoccurring theme as this one plays while “Treacherous Doctor” gets things moving. Referring back to a lyric from Spring’s opener, “Ground,” the term “inverted narcissist” when translated to Mongolian turns into “treacherous doctor,” thus inspiring a songwriting session where they penned the track.
“Sidelines” is classic Wallows while “Are You Bored Yet?” featuring Clairo holds a special place in the hearts of fans and the band alike as it started this new chapter. An anthem for cutting the bullshit of small talk and preserving one’s feelings while relationships and opportunities pass us by, “Are You Bored Yet?” encapsulates the sentiments of a frustrated generation starved for meaningful connection and purpose.
Of course, no Wallows release would be complete without a lively track of humor. “Scrawny” comes barreling in with all that and then some. What some might decipher as a commentary on hipster culture, there’s no denying the borderline seriousness of this one; a self-deprecating take on oneself perhaps? We’ll take it!
Possible influences past and present subtly make their way into “Ice Cold Pool” (Vampire Weekend), “Worlds Apart” (Joy Division/Tame Impala), and “Remember When” (Crescendo) whether intended or not, but surely a nice touch for fans of all parties mentioned.
“What You Like” takes on a heavier approach than what listeners are familiar with while “I’m Full” takes us right back to the band’s infectious, signature alt-pop.
Album highlight and closer “Do Not Wait” is by far the longest and lyrically honest Wallows track in their entire discography and we are here for it! Delving into the coming-of-age trials of everything overwhelming, uncomfortable, and monotonous, “Do Not Wait” is a reminder that while everything may seem like a big deal at the time, everything’s alright, you’re okay, and life will go on if you push on despite your anxieties. Everything’s happening yet nothing happens simultaneously. Funny how life works like that.
We’ve said it before and we’re not too cool to say it again: everything is about to happen for these guys, and with a record like this, all of it is 100% justified. Not bad for some not-so-scrawny *insert expletive here* with some cool hairstyles. 😉
Nothing Happens is available now here.
