Get ready everyone, if you thought I liked Weezer you are in for a wild ride because I love Wallows so much more. I was going to wait to review an album of theirs, but the warm weather had me running to put my “Spring” vinyl on the player.
A little bit of band history is necessary before getting into the details. While they have grown in recent years, most know the band by the lead singer. Dylan Minnette was first popular for his appearance in “13 Reasons Why” as well as other movies and television shows.
Minnette eventually met his one band mate, Braeden Lemasters, in an acting class. I have no idea whether this was before or after Minnette decided he was done with acting and wanted to create an indie rock band. Somewhere along the way the two picked up their third member of Wallows, Cole Preston, their drummer.
The group started releasing singles in 2017 before the release and production of “Spring.” After that released, they wrote some more singles and then produced their first studio album “Nothing Happens” (or as fans refer to it Wallows 1).
This album is one of my favorites and includes some Wallows classics such as “1980s Horror Film” and “Pictures of Girls.”
“Spring” was the band’s debut extended play which released on April 6, 2018, after the band was signed to Atlantic Records.
With a total run time of only 22 minutes and 35 seconds, this album manages to convey the feeling of spring. This may be my own personal opinion, but listening to this album feels like we just had 70 degree weather and then it snowed the next day. It also tends to make me feel nostalgia from being a teenager.
“But Andi you were literally just a teenager 2 years ago.” Well yes, but according to my friends and siblings I am as old as dirt.
Which brings me to the album’s first track: “Ground.” The music starts with Preston’s iconic drum kicks before spiraling into how the song’s narrator is crashing to the ground.
It’s not as depressing as it seems! It is more a story of growing up and not wanting to give up on the memories of childhood. At first listen, it sounds like total nonsense, but “Ground” is easily one of my favorite songs.
Again, the whole album has this feeling of teenage angst mixed with nostalgia.
“1980s Horror Film” is a favorite for that reason. It tells a story of a girl and a boy watching a horror film together. The boy is so nervous because he has a huge crush on this girl and everything during the movie is giving him cues to just kiss her already. When he musters the courage to kiss her, she admits “I’m really not that into guys.”
Cue a long silence and music break after this line and then the song ends. I love it. It’s just so humorous and silly to me. I am, however, forever mad that they did not play this at the concert I went to. (It’s a fan favorite.)
Following “1980s Horror Film” is another absolute banger from Wallows titled “Pictures of Girls.” The beat is catchy, the guitar is amazing and it’s about losing a girl. There is definitely a more specific understanding and meaning within the song, but I’d like you to find that out for yourself. I won’t spoil it.
If you are looking for some spring warmth and inspiration, I highly recommend listening to “Let the Sun In.” It is more about letting love into your life, but just the title really warms me up.
I think indie music in general tends to make me feel as though it’s summer and everything is warm. That’s exactly what this album does for me.
It’s a truly wonderful way to start the warmer months, or continue to manifest that the warmer months come soon.
One can hope that warmer weather will stick soon and it won’t snow anymore, but until then I highly recommend you warm up your mind and ears with Wallows “Spring” EP. I also hope you will listen to all of their other wonderful songs, but I mean I’ll take what I can get for now.
Stay warm, everyone!
