Complexity Is Out The Door in Wallows’ New Album ‘Model’ With More Straightforwardness Than Ever

Any obsessive Wallows fan will know that the goal with their third album ‘Model’ is simplicity. Dylan Minette, Braeden Lemasters, and Cole Preston have continually preached this plan in their interviews leading up to the album's release on May 24th. They left the busy and detailed mixes found on their first two LPs and focused on a sound that any music fan can love. With their longest tracklist yet, Wallows produced twelve perfectly balanced easy indie rock jams. The twelve songs are packed into thirty-seven minutes that fly by and are primed to be played live. 

Wallows began the Model era by sending out postcards with lyrics of new songs to diehard fans last January. Then, whispers of a new album ran about, and in February, Wallows were back in full force with their lead single and album opener “Your Apartment.” A classic-Wallows-pop song, similar to their first-ever release in 2017, “Pleaser.” This single took from the riffy indie rock-infused anthems of the 2000s like “1901” by Phoneix and “A-Punk” by Vampire Weekend. Although this song did not garner the attention it deserves, the excitement for ‘Model’ is clear, and people can tell Wallows are back and ready for their moment in the spotlight. 

In the final month leading up to the late May release, three singles were released. Two of them (“Bad Dream” and “A Warning”) stick out among the rest of the singles like a sore thumb. Fans became skeptical of ‘Model’, based on the inconsistency of the singles. The final single, “You (Show Me Where My Days Went),” brought Wallows back to the days of their debut EP with a bouncy guitar sound and sweet falsettos. 

Last Friday, ‘Model’ was released and my nerves were eased as the songs concealed from the world not only uplifted my perception of Wallows’ new era but also the previously released singles. The album does not tell a story, nor does it have some rousing message, but it does deliver a consistent palette of tracks that is appealing to any fan. The singles that I originally looked down on began to make sense. From start to finish the album is easily digestible and is packed with exciting moments.

Three songs stand out on ‘Model.’ The second track, “Anytime, Always,” feels reminiscent of an early The Strokes cut, and could have been stolen from Wallows’ debut album ‘Nothing Happens.’“Anytime, Always” will certainly be a fan favorite with a bridge perfect to be shouted at their Model Tour this summer. A song that has become an instant fan favorite, thanks to vocals, by Braeden Lemasters is “Going Under.” Unlike anything they have ever produced, the penultimate track details someone avoiding the truth of their dying relationship. Braeden does not hold back on his emotions as he breaks into a wild moment of screaming during the second verse. The distorted lyric-scream reminds fans of the experimentation that is explored on their second album. This track is the one to show to your Pavement and Pixies-loving Dad to convince them that Wallows is a true indie-rock band.

If there is one thing Wallows know how to do, it is a conclusion to an album. The past two album closers, “Do Not Wait,” and “Guitar Romantic Search Adventure,” found Dylan Minette in his most emotional state on their respective albums, and this continues on Wallows’s greatest love ballad, “Only Ecstasy.” The song was played live for the first time last August, and all fans were left with was a YouTube video to hold them over until now. Unlike most of the album, the intricacies of “Only Ecstasy” are found in its lyrics and Minette’s career-defining vocal performance.

Luckily the weakest aspects of ‘Model’ are not the music itself but instead the simple approach to its composition. Some risks should have been taken both in the booth and behind the mixing board. Wallows has released a strong album; however, it is their least “Wallows” sounding work. I was hoping for the passion and intensity found in ‘Nothing Happens.’ There are a few tracks that teeter on the lines of boredom (“I Wouldn’t Mind” and “She’s An Actress); they would benefit from the catchy choruses and loud instrumentation of an early Wallows' song.

Wallows are embarking on a world tour starting in August, playing on their biggest stages yet, including The Forum in Los Angeles and Madison Square Garden in New York City. The band knew these major venues were slated before recording so it is interesting that the new sound veers away from Wallows’ ambitious past. 

While Wallows’ new sound may be a surprise to most, their intention for an album that flows well front to back without any skips has been apparent since the first single As much as I am pushed away by their musical approach on ‘Model,’ I can’t stop pressing play as they have never released anything so fresh and easy. ‘Model’ will certainly be the soundtrack to my summer, as the weak moments are clouded by some of the band’s best performances yet. 

7/10