What started as a quarantine project is now the band Wallows’ EP, Remote. The album consists of six lively songs that make any listener feel like the main character in their own coming of age movie.
In an interview with DIYMag, the trio shared that they completed their new release through a series of voice memos and facetime calls while they were apart during quarantine — which inspired the title of the EP.
Remote starts with the upbeat and catchy “Virtual Aerobics,” which sets the tone for the rest of the album. Throughout the song, the group experiments with a funky piano riff while managing to stay true to their indie-pop roots. This track, along with “Nobody Gets Me (Like You),” was released on streaming platforms on Sept. 9 and created anticipation for the EP’s launch.
Vocalist and lead guitarist, Braeden Lemasters, kicks off the edgy second track titled “Dig What You Dug” with his energetic vocals. The song channels early 2000’s pop punk nostalgia using guitar riffs. With lyrics like “I love the way you say my name, say it again,” this track is the perfect song for listeners to dedicate to their Zoom crush.
A modern-day underground love ballad, “Nobody Gets Me (Like You)” is the most experimental song in the EP. While the lyrics remain sweet, the pop-inspired track can be overwhelming at first. The song’s heavy production takes listeners by surprise with its techno influence and leaves them in what feels like a fever dream. Regardless, it is impossible to deny that the track portrays the evolution of Wallows’ music.
There is both a lyrical and instrumental shift with “Coastlines,” which reflects on the difficulties of long-distance love. With lyrics like, “too embarrassed to admit I’ve cried, kinda hope it’s that way on your side,” the band portrays uncertainty and longing in a long-distance relationship. The chorus features one of the heaviest lines in the song, “I don’t want to think about it when we’re on different coastlines,” which can be interpreted literally or metaphorically. It is possible the coastlines symbolize mindsets in a relationship and how much they can change after being physically apart.
The melancholy vibe is short-lived because Remote’s fifth song, “Talk Like That,” is an upbeat drum-heavy love song that will leave listeners in a good mood. The experimental production in “Nobody Gets Me (Like You)” returns at the bridge of the song and finishes it off.
Wallows definitely saved the best for last with “Wish Me Luck,” the dreamy finale to the EP. The lyrics touch on insecurity and anxiety, and the beat is reminiscent of the band’s 2019 debut album Nothing Happens. The lush instrumentals and Minnette’s overlapping vocals intertwine to create a mellow yet exhilarating sound.
While some artists tend to play it safe and stay within their genre, Wallows breaks out of their shell and takes aspects from their own favorite gems to create a unique, alternative pop sound. Remote finds a way to embody versatility without taking itself too seriously and showcases the dedication the band has for their craft.
Rating: 5 out of 5
