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Apr 08, 2019 Web Exclusive By Matt the Raven

This indie rock trio from Los Angeles released a promising 6-song EP titled Spring in 2018 that featured some guitar-centric, sunshiny indie pop and smooth, harmonized vocals. It’s a sound that’s familiar yet unique, but when they reduced the shine and added some grit the music stood out from the crowd. Unfortunately, the music on Wallows’ full-length debut, Nothing Happens, lives in a world of perpetual sunshine with nary any grit.

The album is chock full of high energy, jangly, and melodic indie pop and some smooth hooks and crisp arrangements that at first sound like it could pass for a lite version of The Shins or a spread-too-thin Death Cab for Cutie. But further inspection and repeated plays reveal that Wallows are too content to stay in their lane and too afraid to muck up the bright, radio-friendly beats.

The exceptions are opener “Only Friend” and “I’m Full.” Both show off some keen songwriting as they shape the music in a new and catchy way with a hint of bitterness that infuses the tracks with a bit of an edge. The rest of the eleven tracks are a mix of topical indie pop with sunshiny vocals like ‘80s hit-makers Spandau Ballet and Duran Duran.

While there is nothing unpalatable on Nothing Happens, there is also some intangible ingredient missing from the music. The amiable melodies tend to wallow (pun intended) within the comfort zone of familiar and bright popular music without the innovation and smart pop style hinted at on Spring. (www.wallowsmusic.com)

Author rating: 5/10