EP Review | Alone I Walk Take On The Hardest Years Yet
Alone I Walk are two brothers from Winnipeg, Canada, delivering a mix of pop-punk and indie rock. Do they have chemistry? Of course, they’re brothers.
This record is a tale of two songs—not really a shock, with only four tracks. I’ve said before that an EP is usually a taster of what’s to come and this is no different. The Hardest Years Yet is a clever, eye-catching name as well, so bonus points for that. Without further ado, let’s get into the music.
I’ll start with the criticisms before pointing out the many positives. This is a tale of two songs. The two songs I’m alluding to—’Get Up’ and ‘Try My Best’—are fantastic, setting the bar high for indie rock and pop-punk. The other two—’Green and Grey’ and ‘Listen To The Rain’—are a step below. One is slightly undercooked, lacking a coherent structure. The other is somewhat bland, but maybe redeems itself with a catchy singalong outro that could work well in a live setting. I also found the tracks too loud at times, things could be taken down a notch or two for more clarity. Ultimately, I thought the two weaker tracks were just a bit bland musically, the vocals and drums are solid but lack invention.
Now onto the positives and the two tracks that are a level above. I usually know within seconds if I’m going to like a song or not. Within ten seconds, ‘Get Up’ had me thinking about my last break up a while back. If you haven’t caught on yet, this is a good thing. Why? Music should evoke emotion—this did just that. The drums are a force to be reckoned with and the vocals are clean, yet gritty and compelling. The songwriting is relatable but strong, and the music is pop with an edge. It has massive single potential, the riff had me hooked from the get-go. Again, the only criticism is that the mix is slightly too loud.
‘Try My Best’ is, without a doubt, the highlight of the EP—a superbly crafted song. The brothers’ chemistry is unmissable here, Alone I Walk know how to deliver a hell of a track.
Musically, it reminds me of Kings of Leon track ‘Sex on Fire’, the guitar work is infectious and the drums have the most prominent presence of all. The vocals on ‘Get Up’ are outstanding, in particular, the lead vocals and harmonies here are just perfect. The duo hit a home run with this one, with an exceptional chorus and musicianship that’s as tight as can be. It’s an anthem in the making—I love it.
Alone I Walk have incredible potential and the two standout tracks are a testament to this. Even the other two have their moments, whether it’s vocals reminiscent of the great Corey Taylor or the fantastic drumming. I highly recommend The Hardest Years Yet.
