Wallows, ‘Tell Me That It’s Over.’

While it’s been three years since Wallows released their debut album, it doesn’t feel like they’ve been away for long. A number of successful singles and an EP in the later stages of 2020 helped keep the band in the alt-rock conversation. Looking to follow up on their early success with “Are You Bored Yet?” off of Nothing Happens, the rock trio is back with its latest offering, Tell Me That It’s Over.

With just 10 songs, the newest album gives Wallows the opportunity to dive further into the exploration that they started on their first album, without biting off more than they can chew. Is it revolutionary to the genre? Not necessarily, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t an honest progression for a young band from its freshman to sophomore albums.

Partnering up with producer Ariel Rechtshaid once again, Wallows lean further into their alternative persona in a number of ways. Right off the bat, “Hard to Believe,” starts with layered vocals and violins before transitioning into a building synth beat that leads up to the chorus, where it shifts to electric guitars and a variety of drumming patterns. The variety of sounds is held together with monotone vocals by frontman Dylan Minnette, which bring unity to what could have been a disjointed song. “Missing Out,” a tune with sonic similarities to Vampire Weekend’s punk-rock sound, opens with slow guitar strumming before heavy drumming and aggressive vocals begin. The song is about missing out on the good parts of life. Another track with deep-rooted alt-rock sounds is “Hurts Me.” 

Straying further from those roots, Wallows work to bring in different tempos throughout the album that provide an opportunity for them to shake up their traditional vibe. “Permanent Price” starts with a nearly 20-second ethereal intro that pairs with lyrics discussing the price of falling for someone. Airy female backing vocals accompany the lead throughout most of the song. The track ends up feeling like an ode to spring.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, “Marvelous” is a feel-good stomper complete with what sounds like bongos, string instruments and tambourines. The chaotic but bright combination of instruments pairs well with lyrics about the difficulty of getting someone off your mind. The two pieces come together to create a more dynamic, upbeat song than the band had on its first album. 

“Guitar Romantic Search Adventure” relies on Wallows’ alt-rock roots and their desire to break from the mold, making for a song that can’t quite figure out its identity, but in a good way. It also begins with a slow acoustic guitar opening that mixes in piano and gives the impression of a ballad early on. It’s the longest song on the album, which lends itself to more experimentation with instrumental solos and lyrical bridges, and makes it the perfect way to end an album that focuses on experimentation. It pairs well with “Especially You,” one of the other songs on the album that uses the most vocal layering. The layering creates more depth to the song, allowing the trio to introduce different bells and whistle sounds that aren’t featured anywhere else.

The album isn’t wildly adventurous, but it’s a sign of growth for the band. Tell Me That It’s Over gives Wallows the space to learn more about their identity as a band, while also trying to solidify their place.

Follow writer Piper Westrom at Twitter.com/plwestrom.