It's not too often that an alternative rock band makes it to the radio airwaves and it is even less likely for one to stay relevant. Luckily for us, Kings of Leon has managed to do both and on Sept. 22 they released their single WALLS in anticipation for their Oct. 14 album of the same name.
WALLS is an interesting choice for the lead single as it showcases the bands’ often overlooked softer side, but it quenches the Kings of Leon thirst fans have been harboring for three years now.
WALLS is a heart-wrenching confession of a man who is at the end of the line in his tumultuous relationship. This relationship is different from his others in that he actually fought for it to work, but this time he is the one who ends up heartbroken.
The song begins with easy, solemn strumming that foreshadows the lyrics to come. After the first chorus Caleb Followill’s vocals gain more strength with the accompaniment of Matthew Followill’s ambient guitar riffs. The despair in Followill’s vocals and lyrics physically make the listeners heart hurt. WALLS is intuitive in that although it is being performed by a band, it feels as though the same heartbroken individual is performing the entire song–each member of the group perfectly captures the same sentiment as his bandmates.
This single is evidence that WALLS is going to be an impassioned, delicately comprised album that is sure to follow Kings of Leon’s effective climate.