Wallows' 'Tell Me That it’s Over': a sprinkle of summer sounds

I’ve been a fan of Wallows’ music since the release of their dreamy first EP, Spring, which came out in 2018. That feels like a lifetime ago now. Four years on, they’ve really come into their own as a band, and have established a distinct sound that is far removed from the more straightforward, mellow tracks of their early days. Tell Me That It’s Over is the third and most recent endeavour from the LA indie rocker boys, and signals the beginning of a new era hallmarked by vulnerable yet catchy lo-fi tracks about the ups and downs of modern relationships.

One look at the title, Tell Me That It’s Over, and you’d likely assume it references the pandemic that has plagued our world in recent years, more specifically the live music scene. The album name echoes the hope that maybe we can look forward to a summer of festivals, park picnics, and fun times with friends that won’t be hindered by another outbreak of COVID-19. Just maybe.

On the other hand, the title could signify spirals of anxiety, where you let your insecurities get the better of you and lead you to jump to conclusions about a relationship. The ambiguity around it sparks intrigue.

This album definitely marks a departure from the more relaxed sounds of Spring, but also builds on the maturity established through their 2019 debut album, Nothing Happens. The opening track, ‘Hard to Believe’, arguably might have been better placed later on in the track listing, as it doesn’t offer much of an indication of what’s to come. Though, you could also argue that the album is so eclectic that no song on it would provide an accurate overview of what’s next.

There are still nods to Wallows’ earlier work, particularly the bright synths in ‘At the End of the Day’ and ‘Hurt Me’, which carry an 80s synth-pop/new wave influence. The distorted, calamitous breakdown in ‘Especially You’ is also reminiscent of the band's older songs, such as ‘Treacherous Doctor’. When I saw Wallows on tour in Birmingham in 2019, I thought they were electric, and I can only imagine that songs like ‘Especially You’ will translate wonderfully in a live setting, creating yet another opportunity for the boys to ramp up the energy like they’ve always done well.

As Wallows has two frontmen, Dylan Minnette, and Braeden LeMasters, it’s always interesting to see which one is going to take the lead on a song. Minnette has a lower range, whilst LeMasters absolutely nails the falsetto, which means that their voices blend together in a way that makes for a very pleasurable listen. I do wish that there had been more of LeMasters on the album, as his voice is like silky smooth caramel. I think that he takes on the mellow vocals beautifully, whilst Minnette suits the abrasive and angsty sections more.

Tell Me That It’s Over was definitely not as ambitious as the boys’ debut album, and I felt that a few of the tracks became lost in the mix. The sprinkles of nostalgia are welcome, I just felt like there was plenty of room for more. That being said - for me, the strongest and most memorable tracks, both musically and lyrically, are the singles. I was charmed by the innocent, playful recorder melody in ‘I Don’t Want to Talk’, and the introduction of folk elements, like the harmonica, was refreshing to hear in a pop song. The fuzzy guitar tones prevalent in tracks like ‘Especially You’ also make an ideal backdrop for those vibrant summer barbecues we’re all looking forward to. On a lyrical level, the album also had some subtle, pleasing moments; every songwriter dreams of writing a line as witty as “can’t stop a mood that swings”.

I’ll always have a soft spot for Wallows, so I’m excited to see what the band do next. Whilst I was looking for more of a gesture to their old work from Tell Me That It’s Over, it’s still satisfying to watch these three best friends grow into a more refined and refreshing sound with every step they take.

by Lina