ALBUM REVIEW: What If I Break? – Wind Walkers
Massachusetts hardcore outfit WIND WALKERS are back and armed with a brand new album What If I Break? – their first full-length since 2018’s The Lost Boys. Over the last few years, we haven’t heard much from the band, which is understandable considering we’ve lived through a pandemic. Only releasing a handful of singles within the last five years, those who aren’t as familiar with the band would have been forgiven by thinking they’d split up. However, worry not, they’re back and stronger than ever and are ready to unleash this new album upon the world. Not the most cheerful of listens, the album itself focuses on several themes such as love, death, and connection with others which will resonate with pretty much every listener, as these themes all contribute to parts of life, even more so in the last few years.
Where The Lost Boys saw the band release a straight up hardcore/metalcore record, this time their sound has shifted slightly. Whilst the metalcore roots are still there, they have been able to blend in a poppier style of music which comes together perfectly. From the off we are met with the opening track Feeding The Gods, which serves as an aperitif for what is to come from the rest of the album. It eases us in gently with huge pulsating synth/drum machine beats. As the track goes on, it slowly builds up as the band gradually add heavier elements that bring us back to their previous sound. The slow guitar that kicks in halfway helps the track to build up on its anthemic quality and sets the standard for the rest of the record.
Following that is The Overlook, which sees the band opt for a heavier style; the synth vibes are still there, but only subtly this time. The standout aspect of this track is vocalist Trevor Borg; the way he is able to switch from clean vocals to the harsher sounding, screamo vocals is a testament to his Chester Bennington–esque role as a frontman, fuelling the enormous grandeur of the record.
As you journey through the majority of the album you’ll be well and truly settled with the musical direction that WIND WALKERS are embarking on. A downside (and a minor one at that) to the record is that they’ve released almost half of the album as singles which does take away an element of surprise. This however can be attributed to wanting to ease fans into the newer sound, and the lead singles are a smattering of ready-made hits that will take the band onto loftier heights. Dead Talk is a taut sounding track that rarely misses a beat. It has a smoothness to it where once again two musical genres collide to contribute to a broody track with a wonderfully punchy guitar and a chorus that will make you want to sing at the top of your lungs.
Bodybag is perhaps the most radical departure in sound as it allows the cleaner and poppier sounding vibes take hold. It’s definitely the most radio friendly song on the record but it shows the band’s willingness to evolve their sound and not become stale by releasing the same album again. It’s a good way of leading into the one-two punch tracks of Euphoria and Dissipate that make for one of the main highlights of the album with their stadium-sized sound. They’re a great pairing at the midway point that should win over any doubters, while penultimate track Almost Ecstasy is the absolute standout of the record. It’s a track that looks at the struggles in life such as depression, but it does offer a glimmer of hope. The chorus mixed with its enormous sounding guitars give you a soaring feeling where it makes you feel the need to make the most of what you have in life; no matter how little it is, it’s what will keep us going.
Overall, this album is a great listen. Whilst the die-hard fans may take a few listens to be won over by the new sonic direction, it’s one that will easily win over a plethora of new fans. Whilst a few of the songs do sound similar, What If I Break? has a fresh feeling to it where you’ll never be bored whilst listening to it. The thought of seeing these songs live is an exciting prospect, you’ll be itching to get into the swirling mosh pits and circle pits that these songs will conjure up, but you’ll also want to scream at the top of your lungs for the slower sounding anthems. WIND WALKERS have been able to do what bands like BRING ME THE HORIZON and FALL OUT BOUY have done so well over the last few years, capturing lightning in a bottle by combining genres that will most importantly keep them interesting to listeners and relevant for years to come. It’s good to see them back, and we can’t wait for what is coming next.
Rating: 8/10
What If I Break? is set for release on November 17th via self-release.
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