Album Review: Wallows Release "Nothing Happens"

The LA-based, indie-rock band Wallows has finally released their debut album, “Nothing Happens,” and they’ve left us wanting more.

The band — composed of Dylan Minnette (vocals, guitar), Braeden Lemasters (vocals, guitar) and Cole Preston (drums) — has released several EPs and singles within the last few years, and if you listen through their discography, you’ll find that the band’s style is difficult to pin down. If you want more info on the band, make sure you read our Artist 101 here.

While one song might remind you of The Beatles, another will remind you of the Arctic Monkeys and another one will sound like nothing you’ve ever heard before.

Their album manages to capture that same youthful, chaotic nature — while some songs feel reminiscent of the punk era with a heavy kick pedal throughout, another will feel like a Radiohead homage.

But these songs flow naturally — the album begins like a whirlwind and gradually finds itself slowing down, seemingly allowing for Wallows to find their footing with navigating the “debut album jitters.”

This album is absolutely mind-tripping, raw and full of conflicting emotions, motives and underlying imagery. Everything about it is confusing and understandable at the same time — it makes this album feel like an authentic indie-rock album that shakes your very being.

Although we could write sonnets about the beauty and complexity of each of these songs, we’re sharing our thoughts on our top three songs below.

Treacherous Doctor

Are the things I think are important / Simply just distractions from death? / All of my ideas turn to content / They can be conceived ’til they’re read

This is a complicated song — the beginning is deceiving of the rest of the song and the lyrics are darker than the music that accompanies it.

At 1:38 and 2:03, the song nosedives into a plethora of angst and grunge — if only for a few seconds. It’s picked right back up again by a synthesizer and a guitar rhythm that’s meant to smooth over those moments of pure musical debauchery.

Worlds Apart

Now I stand here unknown / A voice in the hall / You’re famous for something / It’s hard to recall

Listening to this song makes us feel like some kind of intruders. It feels personal and vulnerable and like this was a letter written for someone and it accidentally got recorded.

Braeden’s voice throughout this song is magical — the 4:14 length of the song doesn’t feel like enough time to appreciate it, but the raspy, raw manner in which he sings marks this song as a personal favorite of ours.

Remember When

I can still see you at the place out there when I close my eyes / Do you remember when we felt like the only two alive?

The guitar in this is absolutely stunning — Wallows have taken groovy rhythms and seemingly claimed them for themselves.

The choruses make this song what it is — the addition of the “oh-oh-oh”s here, allows for the listener to easily become attached to this song. This feels like a song you’ve heard before, this sounds like a song you’ve loved for years. Easily the most addicting song on this album.

Wallows is headed for great things if this album is anything to go by. And we do not hold a single doubt that this album is entirely something else when played live.

The band is set to go on a massive tour this year, and tickets are already available. So check out the list of dates and make sure you snag a ticket before every single show is sold out.

Love Wallows? What are your thoughts on “Nothing Happens”? Make sure you follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more updates and to let us know what you think!

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