“Help me learn to love the air I breathe.”
Just over two years since their debut record, Everyone I’ve Ever Loved, Valleyheart are back. The original record explored a range of sounds from alt-rock and post-hardcore to midwest emo, laying the groundwork for the Massachusetts-based group to quietly show their talent. In tracks such as “Agnosia” and “Dissolve“, the record was laced with s futility and vulnerability that gave Everyone I’ve Ever Loved its moments lasting impact. Now with Heal My Head, Valleyheart look to further establish their roots, whilst also further flourish as a group.
The most noticeable change with Heal My Head is a distinct shift in sound, moving away from its post-hardcore elements and leaning further into midwest emo and indie rock. There are moments on this record such as on “Back & Forth” where the American Football influences spring to mind, with beautiful transcending guitar melodies filling the track alongside soft and introspective lyricism. Early track “Vampire Smile” oozes melancholy and a Death Cab for Cutie-esque rawness: “When we’ve all got a share of story to tell, and a smile to hide. It’s all gonna heal.” The guitar hook on this is saddening beautiful.
There is a sense of human uncertainty to the record, with the lyrics feeling like a journal of someone trying to make sense of it all. “Part of my head just needs someone, why do I keep these weird desires? Pulling my conscious back and forth, I’ll spend my whole left in the indecision.” With its ruthless yet gentle delivery, it digs deep into the uncertain emotive state of modern life on “Back & Forth“. The record’s epilogue, “6:26“, is a lamenting instrumental track that feels like it’s looking back across the emotional expenditure of the record, closing off with an anguished sigh. Across the just over 43 minute runtime, Valleyheart have expressed vulnerability and emotion that gives Heal My Head its soul—a very human soul.
Sonically, Heal My Head wears its influences on its sleeve, delivering a sound that will have a warm familiarity to it from bands such as American Football, Death Cab For A Cutie and From Indian Lakes. This isn’t to be taken as a negative however, with this allowing the ear and mind to explore the record’s relatable and ever so human stories and lyricism. This combination of familiarity and vulnerability makes Heal My Head one worthy of indulging.
8/10
Heal My Head will release this Friday, June 3rd via Tooth & Nail. And you can pre-order the record, here.