Talking Is Hard- Walk the Moon

Walk the Moon are a group of Ohioans that like to play music of the indie rock persuasion. Their music is a combination of mellow, lovey-dovey songs and pumped up dance music; they have a very unique sound- a lot of which can be accredited to Nick Petricca's (lead singer) very distinct voice. Kevin Ray (bassist) is also a very big talking point for WTM, but that's because he is absolutely flawless and one of the most beautiful men to ever walk the moon- haha get it? like walk the Earth, but it's their band name... it was funnier in my head. Anyway, they are a very talented group of guys that I first started listening to because they were headlining on The Griswolds' tour- just kidding, The Griswolds were opening for them. I had heard a few of their songs on their last album on AltNation, but I hadn't looked up any of their music or listened to anything besides four or five songs. I am very glad I started listening to them. 

Talking Is Hard is the second studio album released by Walk the Moon. The put 12 songs on this album, but they also recently released the UK version and there is an extra song on there that is called "Boyfriend" and I suggest you find a way to listen to it because it is absolutely amazing. This album is a bit more upbeat and energetic than their first album, so it's a lot of fun to listen to, dance to, and sing along with. Every song on Talking Is Hard is something I could listen to over and over again, and I listen to this album on repeat a lot. 

On this album the drums seem to ground the music and everything else is built on top of that. It has  a sort of dreamy feel because of the synth, keyboard, and vocals. As in most rock music, there is a lot of impressive guitar riffs. The bass isn't as noticeable as some of the other elements, but if you listen for it you can hear how it enhances both the drum and guitar and adds another layer to the music. Walk the Moon have a very versatile sound that you can listen to at anytime. Their music is the kind that you can't help but smile and get into it; the lyrics just draw you in and the instrumental pieces are extraordinary. This album has a very 80s inspired sound; there is a lot of synth, guitar, and keyboard- they also seem to wear pretty tight pants. They have done a great job to create their own sound in a way that makes people want to listen to it.

The song "Avalanche" is one of the more mellow songs on the album, but it is a song that just stuck out to me when I first heard it. It has with a very simple instrumental backing of a repeating drumbeat, a intricate guitar riff, synth, and a subtle bass riff. They lyrical work is so beautiful and creates a sort of story about someone finding their soulmate. "You got a look in your eyesI knew you in a past life. One glance and the avalanche drops; one look and my heartbeat stops. Ships pass in the night, I don't wanna wait 'til the next life. One glance and the avalanche drops; one look and my heartbeat stops," this chorus makes you want to feel something like that without even being sure what it would be that you're feeling. This song draws you in and makes you want to fall in love.

"Portugal" is a more electronic song; the lyrics are kind of cryptic and you're not totally sure what the song is talking about. My favorite part of the song just has the kick drum repeating, piano, and Nick singing; you can really feel the emotion in this song. The backing vocals add more character and makes the song sound even better. There is one part toward the middle of the song that reminds me of AWOLNATION, because it has the same sort of voice changed chanting vocals. "What you don't know now, one day you'll learn. Growing up is a heavy leaf to turn, a heavy leaf to turn," this song is about coming of age and falling in love at a young age. You can relate to exactly what he's singing about and feeling, and that is a beautiful thing that I think you can only really get from music.

Walk the Moon is currently on a US tour, and right now they are doing a lot of different festivals. They put on a great live performance and play amazing music. I have heard only good things about this band. Kevin Ray may need to take some time off in the near future though, because his husband Christopher Whitehall-Ray (lead singer of The Griswolds) is pregnant with their lizard baby- this is a very serious matter that has gone down on the Twitter universe, if you don't know about it educate yourself (it's a joke if you didn't get that). They are amazingly talented and I don't see them doing anything than just getting better and more popular as they continue to make music. 

Walk the Moon's Website
Buy Talking Is Hard