The collaborative music project of two long-time friends, Walk The Whale offers a unique twist on common genres. Logan and Parker, the duo behind the band, are both trained cellists and multi-instrumentalists who later became music educators. After realizing that they should be creating music and not solely teaching it, Walk The Whale was born. They’ve just released their new self-titled full-length album featuring ten genre-spanning tracks that run the gamut of emotions and styles.
“The original impetus for the album was ‘man, I’d love to hear these songs out in the world’. Simple and direct; we liked ’em, and we wanted ’em produced,” says the band about the new music. “Some of these songs have been waiting in the wings since 2008! It was only after organizing the tracks on the album that we realized that they all revolved around themes of struggle and self-reflection. The more satisfied we became with the arrangement of tracks, the more an image emerged: that of something large, heavy, and out of its element, finally free to walk around (albeit with a little help from its friends).”
The abum kicks off with “Tides,” a song that strikes a perfect balance between pop-rock and a classic, almost theatrical style. It’s bold and dramatic, showing the band members’ instrumental prowess. From there, the album moves on to the mellow, piano-centric sounds of “Aquarium Love”. One of the previous singles from the album, this song boasts soft yet impactful pared-down vocals and something akin to a contemporary jazzy sound.
“Here For You” offers a moodier, emotional feel, chock full of musical depth. This is definitely a stand out on the album, with instruments and vocals that complement each other so beautifully, really bringing out the emotions. One of my two favourite songs on this release, “Pacified” has more of an indie rock vibe with huge moments where the guitar riffs shine, meshing beautifully with the vocal style. This is undoubtedly a rock song, and one that is probably a hit with live audiences.
For something a little different that could be described as Pink Floyd meets the Beatles, give “Addiction” a listen. It has a bit of psychedelia to it that magically works so well within this collection of songs. It’s dramatic and dreamy, with rock moments placed at just the right times. The second of my two personal favourites (because I’m sure you were wondering, right?!), “Smile” is a mellow and moody track. The keys in this one shine, and create an atmospheric yet somber sound.
Perfectly fitting the next song name, “Ghost” starts off subdued, leading to explosive moments featuring stellar rock riffs. Back and forth, quiet and loud, it’s a compelling track that balances ominous verses and frenzied choruses. Lastly, the album finishes with “Overboard”; a straight-ahead rocker that is incredibly catchy, mixing genres and styles to create an undeniable sound.
Overall, Walk The Whale’s self-titled album is a complex collection that melds different styles, sounds, and influences to create a cohesive track list that has a little something for everyone. The musical talent is apparent in every note, as is their love of creating songs with depth,nuance, and an element of surprise.
Stream Walk The Whale’s self-titled album on your preferred platform:
Spotify / Bandcamp / Apple Music
Follow Walk The Whale on Facebook, Instagram, & TikTok
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