Throughout my freshman year of high school, I filled much of my time with background tunes of indie rock as I navigated through the halls trying to find myself.

At the time I was a Spotify user—oh, how things change—and my old playlists were speckled with countless different artists that almost amounted to the perfect sound that I was searching for, but not quite. I wasn’t necessarily discouraged, more unsatisfied than anything else; that is, until Wallows released its album Nothing Happens in March of 2019.

Their sound fit perfectly with the type of music I had been searching for, and soon their music intertwined with my life—quickly becoming a necessity in my daily routine. They may not produce the most unique music, highlighting the fact that many songs fit into a basic category of “typical alternative band,” but the voices of the band members themselves have always been what has set them apart from this stereotype.

In October of last year, Wallows released another project: Remote. The EP was publicized as being a new era of style for the band, but unfortunately, singers and groups who try to switch up their sound often fail, disappointing fans such as myself with new releases such as these. Remote was forced and unsynchronised; clinging to an idea of bedroom pop that proves to be poorly executed by the band.

On Sept. 30, Wallows released a new single titled “I Don’t Want to Talk.” As soon as I found out, I was skeptical, yet excited nonetheless, but it only took me one listen to fall in love with the band once again. The track immediately reminded me of Wallows’ old music—the music that I did the important part of my growing up with.

Immediately upon listening, “I Don’t Want to Talk” reminded me of “Pleaser;” a single released by the band in 2017. The song has a melancholic storyline, discussing parts of a relationship that may be disheartening, but it is paired with an upbeat tune that is parallel to the typical “Wallows sound”—the sound that I fell in love with.

The thing I have always enjoyed most about the band was their theme of pairing objectively sad and relatable lyrics with playful beats; creating an overall situationally optimistic feeling inside of the listener.

The tune is pure bliss; a fast beat keeps the song afloat while the guitar sets the pace. Lead vocalist Dylan Minnette sings throughout the majority, but lead guitarist Braeden Lemasters vocals intertwine with Minnette’s throughout portions of the lyrics. I’ve always found that the band’s delivery on a song was overall better when the two collaborated on the vocals, and “I Don’t Want to Talk” fell into that category.

Wallows are heading off on their Tell Me That’s Over tour in 2022; starting on April 1, 2022 in North America. I was originally set to see them in June of 2020, but their tour was unfortunately canceled due to the pandemic. Nonetheless, they’re visiting Detroit around the same time next year, so I’m ecstatic to see them very soon.

Wallows – I Don’t Want to Talk (Official Video)