Wallows, Nothing Happens | Album Review 💿

Rising alternative collective Wallows (Dylan Minnette, Cole Preston & Braeden Lemasters) deliver a compelling debut LP with Nothing Happens.

At least one member of the rising alternative rock band Wallows should be familiar.  Who? Actor and singer Dylan Minnette, perhaps best known for his role as Clay Jensen on the polarizing, yet thrilling Netflix series, 13 Reasons Why.  Minnette, along with fellow members Cole Preston and Braeden Lemasters have arrived with their highly-anticipated debut album, Nothing Happens.  Nothing Happens has its fair share of truly memorable, electrifying moments.

“Only Friend”

“You’re signing off again / But you’re my only friend / I don’t know what to say / I feel the ending close.” Wallows commences Nothing Happens energetically with the rhythmically driven ✓ “Only Friend.” Despite the semi-tortured emotional effect of the lyrics, “Only Friend” is set in a major key, which gives it a sense of exuberance, despite the longing for a friend.  Go figure.  ✓ “Treacherous Doctor” segues from “Only Friend,” keeping Nothing Happens incredibly energetic and maintaining the major key.  In addition to the standard instrumentation (guitar, bass, and drums), there are some colorful synths and keyboard that accentuate the overall sound.  Where “Treacherous Doctor” seems as if it’s going to be somewhat predictable, the band keeps things fresh and adds some unexpected quirks. 

✓ “Sidelines” arrived as an advance single from Nothing Happens (the third advance single to be precise).  Here, the pace is slackened, while a major key remains ‘the law of the land.’ Much  like “Only Friend” and “Treacherous Doctor,” there is no shortage of firepower – Wallows is locked in.  Falsetto and a tuneful melody are among the selling points.  Also, worth noting, “Sidelines” kicks the synths up a notch, expanding the script.

“Are You Bored Yet?” 

“I’m still thinking, let’s pretend to fall asleep now / When we get old, will we regret this? / Too young to think about all that shit / And stalling only goes so far when you’ve got a head start.” ✓ “Are You Bored Yet?” featuring Clairo, is alluring from start to finish.  The record keeps things short, sweet, chill, and enigmatic among other things.  Dylan Minnette and Clairo have excellent vocal chemistry, never losing their poise.  You can say, they both deliver performances that ‘float along’ as opposed to being incredibly assertive or commanding.  Likewise, the production maintains similar composure, with its gentle, but totally fitting palette of sounds: piano, warm synths, and light, rhythmic drums.  The chill is real on “Are You Bored Yet?”

“‘Cause we could stay at home and watch the sunset
But I can’t help from asking, ‘Are you bored yet?’
And if you’re feeling lonely you should tell me
Before this ends up as another memory
Will you tell the truth, so I don’t have to lie?
Will you tell the truth, so I don’t have to lie?”

“Scrawny motherfucker with a cool hairstyle.” Obviously, the best lyric from ✓ “Scrawny” is the aforementioned bullet that Dylan Minnette repeats four times on the chorus.  Besides his potty-mouthed delivery there, he shows off feistiness on the second verse, asserting, “I say the wrong shit at the right times / If I’m offending them, I don’t mind.” It’s this attitude that really sells this up-tempo joint to the fullest.  Lyrically, Minette paints a picture encompassing anxiety, awkwardness, and being comfortable in your own skin.  While there’s at least a layer of seriousness, there’s also that tongue-n-cheek vibe, which makes this irresistible and infectious.

“Question though, how do I look to you?
Am I so thin that you can see through?”

All in all, this is an up-tempo, kickass gem that is thrilling to the nth degree. 

“Ice Cold Pool” 

✓ “Ice Cold Pool” benefits from its throwback sensibilities, blending elements of old-school rock (think 60s) with a dash of soul thrown in.  No, “Ice Cold Pool” is far from an R&B record, but it does sound as if Wallows were in retro mood when conceiving this particular joint.  By the way, “It’s not a crime if you take what’s given.” Worlds Apart” once more benefits from production that is characteristic of alternative rock – old-school sounds, eclectic vibes, and reverb-heavy vocals.  The pace is unhurried – moderately slow – which helps to concoct some ultra-chill vibes and a somewhat ‘lazy’ sound.  The lushness of this record is noteworthy, if the record drags on a wee bit too long.

Wisely, a driving groove arrives from the onset of “What You Like” adding a bit more of an aggressive edge. Also, worth noting, the vocals are clearer and more commanding.  Personally, I consider this to a better sound for Wallows.  Still, there is a lush array of sounds – plenty to be in awe of.  Give the band credit for a love of dirty guitars with synths thrown in to create quite a massive wall of sound.  Sometimes it’s overkill, but you can’t knock the energy in the least.  Also, the songwriting is respectable, as the band tackles relationships.

“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?” Wallows keeps it short and sweet on “Remember When” – a mere two-and-a-half minutes in duration.  Duration is only a number, and the rollicking pace, complemented by a sick groove and some marvelous synth action are definite selling points.  Like “What You Like,” the topic of choice for the boys is relationships.

One thing that’s cool about penultimate record ✓  “I’m Full” is the reference to a previous song on the album, “Only Friend” (“Don’t remind me there’s no one in sight / That, you’re my only friend”). That’s only one standout lyric of course.  There’s also the colorful “‘Every time I put my hands somewhere / There’s always Reese’s there.’” Besides the lyrics, there’s the robust driving bass line, ample personality shown via the vocal performance, and an overall, well-rounded, high-energy record.  Energy is consistent for Wallows throughout Nothing Happens. The closer, “Do Not Wait,” is a juggernaut to say the least – six-and-a-half-minutes long! Like everything else that graces Nothing Happens, there are plenty of ear-catching songs and moments.

Final Thoughts 

All in all, Wallows deliver an enjoyable, intriguing, and well-rounded debut album with Nothing Happens.  The LP checks off the expected boxes for an alternative rock album, particularly a number of classic influences blended with entertaining songwriting.  It’s not perfect – sometimes a wee bit too loud with overambitious layered production – but there’s plenty to sink one’s teeth into.

✓ Gems: “Only Friend,” “Treacherous Doctor,” “Sidelines,” “Are You Bored Yet?”, “Scrawny,” “Ice Cold Pool” & “I’m Full”

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Wallows • Nothing Happens • Atlantic • Release: 3.22.19

Photo Credit: Atlantic