Written by Emily Lutz
Wallows, the indie pop trio from Los Angeles, California, is made up of childhood friends Dylan Minnette, Braeden Lemasters, and Cole Preston. Two years ago the band put out their debut album, “Nothing Happens”, full of songs celebrating the end of your youth, perfect for everyone from high school seniors to adults just reminiscing.
The opening track, “Only Friend”, has a super poppy, dreamy feel as Minnette’s vocals invite the listener to join him on a journey of self discovery since they are his “only friend.” We have also since learned in a tweet by Minnette that this track was inspired by “HER (Original Score)” by Arcade Fire and Owen Pallett.
Led by Lemasters, the next song is “Treacherous Doctor”, which will definitely make you want to jump around and dance. While the music is very upbeat, the lyrics go against all of that, discussing the insecurities that come with growing up.
“Sidelines” slows down the album just enough to still make it danceable and fun. It has a whistling melody as Lemasters sings through the reflective lyrics, creating something complex but still filled with energy.
Next up is “Are You Bored Yet? (feat. Clairo)”, which lyrically explores feelings of regret in a young relationship. Minnette describes these feelings in the chorus with the lines, “'Cause we could stay at home or watch the sunset / But I can’t help from asking ‘Are you bored yet?’” which he has deciphered by saying, “We could do this very mundane thing or we could do this most cliche like romantic thing...but I can’t get this question off my brain.”
This track is by far the group’s most streamed song. It has invited in lots of new fans whether it be from the band playing it on talk shows including Jimmy Fallon, it going viral on TikTok, or somewhere in between.
“Scrawny” is probably the most fun track on the album, quickly becoming a fan favorite. It’s impossible to sit still from the first beat and first lyrics, as Minnette pokes fun at and embraces his appearance at the same time.
In the second half of the record, “Ice Cold Pool” emphasizes Lemasters’ chill and calm vocals as his lyrics speak on the transition from your youth to adult responsibilities. This track also brings back the trumpets that were last heard in their 2017 single “Sun Tan.”
“World’s Apart” is probably the most beautiful song on the album from a lyrical and instrumental standpoint. It’s simple and makes you feel like you’re just laying outside watching the stars. It focuses on a relationship that ended due to growing apart. The ending instrumental is the icing on the cake for the whole song and leads perfectly into the next track.
Transitioning directly from “Worlds Apart,” “What You Like” is more upbeat than the former. The chorus, “Go ahead tell me now what you like / Maybe this time I’ll listen” mixed with Preston’s cymbal brings an indescribable rush, as lead guitar kicks in before slowing down the bridge and then finishing out the track loud and strong.
“Remember When” feels like it should be in an 80s movie, its cooler tones mixed with consistently mellow vocals. The bridge leading into a powerful second chorus is what really makes this song so special.
“I’m Full” is a personal favorite that reminds you of a late night drive with the windows down. This track gives multiple nods to previous songs in the first verse, with the lines, “Tell me something / Tell me what you like” and “You’re my only friend / You’re at it again.”
While the themes of the rest of the album have been light, this one takes on the topic of drug dependency. This is shown in the chorus' lines, “Then I’m screaming in my head / When I’ve got nowhere to go / And I’m falling into bed / On a high chemical low / And I know I’m bound to lose / When I feel the need to use / Why I’m full.”
Closing out the album is “Do Not Wait.” It’s a slow burn of a track, seeing Minnette singing about things that at one point seemed like the end of the world.
Separating parents, having sex for the first time, broken promises and more are all teenage experiences that feel so overwhelming at the time. Eventually, you grow to learn that the truth is “nothing happens.”
Though it may seem pessimistic, it's important to remember how temporary everything in life is, and how small our struggles truly are compared to how much life we have to live ahead od us. It’s a hopeful, comforting message to close on.
The last line of “I’ll be there” rings out as a reminder that you have a place in this world and someone is there for you. Things will start looking up; you just have to hold on for a little while until then.
Be sure to listen to “Nothing Happens” front to back for its anniversary, available on all streaming platforms! You can support the band by picking up some of their merch.
You can catch up with everything Wallows has done since the 2019 release and all they have yet to plan by following them on Twitter @WallowsMusic. While you're there, feel free tweet us @lgndsoftmrw and let us know how you’re reminiscing on the record's birthday.
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