Wallows’ ‘More’ EP offers more chill sound, underwhelming lyricism
On March 28, the indie rock band Wallows released More, their long-awaited EP featuring unreleased songs from the beginning of their Model and More tour.
Overall, the album pales in comparison to the rest of their discography. However, it has a balanced sound, ranging from melancholic to upbeat vibes.
Wallows isn’t known for their writing, so catchy chords, satisfying vocals and co-lead singer Dylan Minnette’s internet-boyfriend looks are enough to make it an album worth a listen.
Here’s each song ranked by lyrics, vocals, and instrumentals, with a deep dive into each track:
- “Coffin Change”
This song has the most upbeat tempo, and yet the darkest lyrical tone. It opens with, “There’s more, more to life than living / more, more to life than this.” It’s philosophical and full of disappointment, which contrasts with the major key and rhythmic bass drum.
The melody in the chorus is fun, and its repetition is guaranteed to become stuck in your head. Co-lead singer Braeden Lemasters’ vocals in the chorus are more raw and raspy compared to other Wallows songs. I loved the deviation, but some listeners might be jarred by it. Drummer Cole Preston also makes a rare appearance in the second verse’s vocals.
Despite it being the best on the EP, it still has its shortcomings. The instrumental break is nothing special, and the song ends with a single, reverberating strum on the electric guitar – it felt incomplete and left me expecting more.
- “Learn To Love Again”
This love song opens with a few slow piano chords, straying from their usual guitar-heavy instrumentals. It offers pleasant variety. The band flawlessly builds anticipation for the pre-chorus by introducing slow percussion, followed by a moment of stillness. It did its job in getting me excited for the chorus, which did not disappoint with its catchy melody.
In the second iteration of the chorus, they go doubletime on the drums, making it a great song for dancing around in your room. The song ends with a few piano chords, and I like that they give the instrument its own moment without lyrics to let the listener appreciate it.
Lyrically, this song fluctuates heavily. Some lines, such as “You’re not just anyone to me” and “I want you to make me all your own,” are adorably romantic. “Let me proclaim,” on the other hand, feels like a RhymeZone solution to finding a rhyme for the word “game.”
- “Hide it Away”
“Hide it Away” is another high-energy song. However, unlike “Coffin Change,” it’s in a minor key, which fits with its sadder lyrics. The chord progression is solid and not overdone. Originally, I didn’t love the chorus’s melody, but after listening to it a few times, I started to like it. LeMasters joins in later for the chorus, and his voice layers nicely with Minnette’s.
The lyrics in the verses really shine. They’re emo and reminiscent of a 2013 Twenty One Pilots-esque sound. In the chorus, they sing, “I can fake it anyway, if the tears fall off my face.” This song has some of my favorite lyrics, and I think they’ll resonate emotionally with listeners.
The outro instrumentals feature a well-done blend of bass, drums and some tambourine. The accompanying music video is a fun watch. It films the band performing the song in different settings, and the live show style setup brings attention to the composition.
- “Not Alone”
A lot of the song’s elements were disappointing: the overall lyricism, the drums and the monotony of the instrumentals. It opens with the lyric, “It’s dark in the place where you used to be / And all I have is a shadow that you left for me,” an overdone way to describe loss and grief. The drums and rhythm don’t shift a lot, if at all, during the song.
The only interesting part of the lyrics is an extended metaphor about sleep and sheep. The second verse ends with “Staring at the ceiling now and I can’t sleep / Maybe all the slaughterhousеs got the sheep.” After the bridge, everything in the song picks up. Minnette’s soft, breathy voice is gorgeous, and feels like a hug.
The outro is classically Wallows, featuring a standout electric guitar solo and heavier cymbals.
- “Deep Dive”
“Deep Dive” is a mellow song, similar to their song “Are You Bored Yet?” (2019) off of Nothing Happens. The lyrics were boring and lazy, such as “If you’re ever lost, you will be found.” The line “raindrops made of chloroform,” was the exception. I loved the imagery of it.
Minnette uses his full vocal capabilities more than in other tracks, dipping into a few different registers. LeMasters joins in on the chorus, seamlessly adding softer, higher pitched vocals. They vary the melodies in the outro, making it a more exciting listen.
- “Your New Favorite Song”
The lyrics on this song lacked creativity. However, it’s got saxophone, which adds a more jazzy tone than any of their other songs. The drums have more toms, contributing to a laid back, more romantic tone. Minnette’s usual warm voice makes it emotionally resonant.
The song doesn’t get better until the bridge. The tempo speeds up a bit, adding some variation to an otherwise monotonous song. The melody here is great, and luckily for Wallows, ends the song on a good note.
All the songs on the whole album are very short, including this one, with only one track being over the standard 3:30. It’s a little disappointing, but understandable considering that this is somewhat of a “B-Side” to their Model album. In an interview with Wonderland Magazine, Minnette explained that the songs from the EP just wouldn’t fit with that album. These tracks serve as “deluxe” additions.
- “Deep Dive Reprise”
This is essentially just “Deep Dive” with a more electronic sound. The song is produced by John Congleton, who’s worked on some of Wallows’ biggest hits like “Are You Bored Yet?” and “Calling After Me” (2024). As a band with a large following and plenty of resources, the production on the album overall is great. In this song, however, I wished the drums were a little louder.
The lyrics are almost the same as the first version. One lyric, “where the sun would set upon,” exemplifies the awkward writing on the album. It’s clearly a desperate attempt to find a rhyming word. The image of it is pretty, but it feels unnecessarily wordy, with awkward structure.
Despite its lyrical shortcomings, the album is great for anyone looking for a rock album that’s easy to listen to. After their upcoming Lollapalooza performance, their millions of fans will be waiting to see what more they’ll do with their music.