After a questionable, after-quarantine release, Remote EP, indie-rock band Wallows returns with a new alternative album to kick off the spring season. 

While reflective of older projects, such as the notorious Nothing Happens, which has remained in the spotlight since its release in 2019, Tell Me That It’s Over ushers in the new and the warm as the world transitions out of the winter months. 

According to Apple Music, the band’s lead singer and actor on Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why Dylan Minnette referred to Nothing Happens as, “transitioning out of young into adulthood,” while stating that this new project was more so highlighting, “life-changing decisions.”

To begin this album with a bang, “Hard to Believe” is one of the best introductory songs I’ve heard in a long time. The beat sounds like an opening scene to a movie, and the combined mix of orchestral notes accompanies the lyrics to create a new and refreshing tune that is the perfect start to summer. It walks this fine line between mellow lyrics and vocals and crunchy, off-beat guitar that is achieved and maintained flawlessly.

“I Don’t Want to Talk” was the single originally released to promote the upcoming album. While I believe it was a great prequel in the terms that it perfectly encapsulates the concept of the project, it’s definitely not my favorite track out of the entirety. The notes of harmonica across the chorus come off as slightly tacky to me, and maybe I’ve just listened to this song too many times, but I don’t find the lyrics or the rhythm of them all that special.

While “Especially You” doesn’t contain nearly as much or as to such a severe degree as the harmonica presented in the previous song, it is annoyingly present nonetheless. I can confidently say I enjoy this song more so than “I Don’t Want to Talk,” but I know this band and I know they can do better. That being said, the chorus is incredibly catchy, and the upbeat musicality and rhythm make it so I can see myself listening to this while driving around in the summertime.

“At the End of the Day” starts off with an 80s feel, electropop beat. With guitarist/vocalist Braeden Lemasters singing, it fully passes along this throwback-Thursday feel to the listener. This song isn’t for everyone, but it truly deserves a listen to at least gain appreciation for this alt-synth energy designed to pulsate through the listener. In addition, this song contains a scream-worthy chorus that stands out against the music itself—opposite to the majority of the other tracks on the album.

The sixth track, “Permanent Price,” resonates with older Wallows fans, especially with regard to Spring – EP. While the tune of Minette’s voice is a bit higher than that of which on older albums, this song perfectly encapsulates the themes throughout Spring – EP that really separated it from the rest of the band’s discography.

It’s a rare occasion to hear soft, gentle guitar and beats out of Wallows, every time it’s been done I’ve loved it. “Missing Out” blends perfectly with songs such as “At the End of the Day;” both tracks highlight Lemasters’ unique voice that makes for the perfect soft indie rock tracks. This song is incredibly dreamy, and the introduction of subdued guitar in chosen sections throughout keeps the listener entertained and makes the band that much more dynamic.

“That’s What I Get” is one of the saddest songs by the band of all time. Usually, the singers’ lyrics are accompanied by more upbeat, fast-paced guitar and colorful electric notes to distract from the meaning itself, but this track is delivered raw and without the fluff. The touch of echoing that carries on Lemasters’ vocals just adds to the hollowed-out lyrics of this song, and this detail will definitely be worn out by me when I’m having a bad day.

The finale, “Guitar Romantic Search Adventure,” is just as epic as the song’s title, if not more. Blues-influenced piano riffs are notable statements throughout the track, manipulated and placed perfectly to punctuate specific points. Not to mention, the synthesized guitar adds a, well, romantic note to an already lyrically love-song-styled song. This, as so the intro, perfectly encapsulates the ideological and musical themes throughout the entirety of the album, the outro specifically finishing off on a note that references the project title by name and wraps up the storyline with resolution intertwined throughout down to the final lines.