Walls Album Review

The first One Direction song I ever heard by was Kiss You. I enjoyed the song, but back then when their style was more bubblegum pop, I really struggled with telling their voices apart. I was happily bobbing my head along to their classic "Na Na Na" in the bridge when I heard something that is still one of my favourite songs to this day: A higher, and frankly angelic voice, singing "Yeah, so tell me, girl, if every time we". That was Louis Tomlinson singing, and I promptly fell in love there and then. He was and still is, my favourite from the One Direction boys. Hence, it isn't an overstatement for me to say that I have been looking forward to this album for years. I adore this album and all the work Louis has put into it. To all the critics who have criticised him because he hasn't taken any 'risks' in this album: Go listen to Miss You Back to You and Just Hold On and then make your judgements. Louis' voice is one of the most unique and distinguishable of our generation and with everything that this poor man has been through, he deserves all the love and support in the world. Hence, here comes my review of Walls.

1. Kill My Mind - Kill My Mind came out of nowhere, and it still shocks me to this day. Firstly, Louis' accent is so prominent in this song and it is so much fun trying to imitate that Doncaster tone. Moreover, it is so 90s Britpop inspired and so different from any song on the radio these days. The guitar uses classic rock and punk guitar techniques throughout the verse, and the chorus just pumps you up with the full force of the drums, with the guitar backing Louis' vocals as he belts it out. The song overall is just well-done and well made. The build-up in the bridge is just perfect and the guitar lead-in is frankly just gorgeous. I love this song and appreciate it so much. Rock just suits Louis' vocals.

2. Don't Let It Break Your Heart - The quintessential song for when you're having a rough day or a rough week. This song is simply just a reminder to keep going, and while something may hurt too much sometimes, it always gets better. It has a really great hook, and the addition of the kick drum on the second verse just adds to the theme of the song that you have to pick everything up and keep going. The song is supplemented with fun little guitar picks and a really great group vocal. This is, in short, a fun bop to cheer yourself up with.

3. Two of Us - Louis' mother, Johannah Deakin, died on 7th December 2016, just when Louis was about to launch his solo career. This song, Two of Us, is Louis' tribute to her and he does not hold back any of his grief or pain at this unimaginable loss. Louis' sister, Felicite Tomlinson, passed away last year, just nearly a week after Louis released this song. The song just makes me cry every time I hear it because of the twofold pain Louis must feel when singing the song now. The beauty of the song is that it holds true for anyone who has ever lost a loved one. The two music videos for Two of Us still get me choked up, from the actual music video that captures the weight of the song to the Two of Us (Richard's Official Bucket List Video) where Louis helps Richard, an older gentleman, tick items off of his bucket list. It's just heartwarming and if you haven't seen it yet, go watch it right now. This review can wait for that video. I'll link it here-

4. We Made It - This is one of Louis' most singable songs. It tells a glorious and heart-warming story about a couple that managed to survive and stay together despite the overwhelming odds against them. The repetitive "yeah yeah yeah" is just fun to shout along and cheer with. I love this song because it just makes you feel happier.

5. Too Young - This is such a sweet, but unfortunately sad song. Louis sings about being young and reckless and does so gorgeously. The calm, steady strumming of the acoustic guitar, is a perfect accompaniment to the track, and never takes centre stage over Louis’ voice. Vocally, this is a huge example of all of Louis’ strengths. It incorporates elements of some of the heavily belted pieces in later tracks, and the softness he brings out in his killer range of a chest voice (seriously, his chest voice is one of the world's biggest marvels). His raspy tone has a certain intimacy. When you listen to the song with your headphones on, it feels like Louis is right next to you, gently singing this song he had written and wanted you to hear it first, before the rest of the world did. In summary, its the song you would listen to with a reluctant smile on your face, somewhere between forgiveness and acknowledgement.

6. Walls - The title track of the album. This song is so Oasis-inspired that Louis actually gave Noah Gallagher credits on the track. Walls is a really good song, its something that you can scream along to during a road trip. The guitar riffs are, frankly, perfect and add an element of fun to an otherwise really emotional, touching song. It has some great lyrics from "Why is it that “thank-you” is so often bittersweet?" to the lyric that begins and closes the song "Nothing wakes you up, like waking up alone". This song makes it clear that Louis is a skilled musician, lyricist, and vocalist. What a man.

7. Habit - This is Louis Tomlinson at his best. The song has a lot of emotional depth with very subtle, yet fitting instrumentals. It immediately makes you want to bop along, and it is very lively and springy. It's emotional, but at the same time, it makes you want to skip along the sidewalk on a nice sunny day (when we're allowed to go out, of course). Louis’ extremely unique voice just brings it up to a new level. He has been teasing this song since February 2018, and it really delivered even after all the hype it received. Also, the Easter Egg referring to his One Direction days just killed me.

8. Always You - Full disclosure: Always You is a song I've been waiting on for three years, ever since he posted the mysterious 'Always' 'You' on his Twitter and Instagram. The man then teased the intro a few months later and then went on about it in every interview during the Back To You promo, Miss You promo, and basically every promo since. I'm a sucker for sappy lyrics and thus, I adore Always You. He belted out the beginning of every chorus, and I was so along for the ride. The snare that accompanies his belt is just perfect and props to the drummer. The song is full of brilliant dynamic changes that really elevate every part. The bridge build-up really works and the whole song has you clapping along throughout. The guitar on the ending is so much fun to mimick and just grabs your attention every time.

9. Fearless - That man really belts this song out! It's a ballad, one of Louis' strengths and we are really reminded of why he deserved the very rare high notes he got in One Direction, namely in Love You Goodbye and End of the Day. He reaches for the high notes and hits them flawlessly. The slow, pulsing beat and the subtle guitar coupled with his unique, gorgeous, and unforgettable (I digress) voice makes for a great tune! The song is frankly just raw and honest, and it takes you to a trip down memory lane.

10. Perfect Now - For some reason, a lot of people don't seem to like Perfect Now. I, however, love it. It is an updated version of Little Things and has a distinctly Ed Sheeran feel to it. While people think it's condescending and boring, it's a callback to Louis' roots and the way he belts out the "my, oh, my" line in the bridge gives me goosebumps. Louis really lets his vocals take centre stage on this song and it's incredible to see how far he's come from singing Little Things to this. Also, on a side note, I just love the line "I guess some queens don't need a crown" because it is just so accurate and well-put. My nostalgia alone just really elevates the song for me personally.

11. Defenceless - What you expect when you first hear Defenceless versus what you actually get is a subversion of expectations in the best possible way. The pre-chorus has a really good, steady beat that has you tapping along every time! The harmonies and background music just really add something special to the song. And, of course, we have to talk about the part that killed his fans all over the world: the falsetto in the bridge. His vocal control in this song is breathtaking. It is almost never seen in modern music outside of musical theatre. Defenceless alone is evidence that he is one of the most vocally gifted artists of our generation.

12. Only the Brave - It is a criminal offence that this song is not even two minutes long. This song is probably the second most emotional song, as Louis pours his heart and soul into it, from his pain to his soft, almost defeated acceptance. Also, the lyrics are just breathtaking. "It's a church of burnt romances/ And I'm too far gone to pray." The basic message of the song is that love is only meant for those who take risks and are brave, and we can almost feel Louis' sad acceptance that it doesn't seem to be meant for him.

I love this entire album and I am so proud of Louis for putting it out, despite all the pain and tragedy he has been throughout. I give this album a solid 8.9/10 and highly recommend to anyone and everyone!