What If I Break

A bold new release for alternative rock outfit Wind Walkers.

Wind Walkers, What If I Break (2023)

After the departure of band member and previous vocalist Corey Prokowiew in 2020 due posts online that were racially insensitive, the five piece band went on an indefinite Hiatus. Two years later the band made, creatively and sonically, what may have been their best career decision in bringing on board vocalist Trevor Borg, and with the release of the Single Dead talk, reintroduced themselves as a much more mature band, with an intense conviction, mainstream pop sensibilities, sincere lyricism, and unique production by Jon Eberhard (I Prevail/ Skillet) and Nick Matzkows (Youth in Revolt/ Blessthefall), exceeding that of all of the bands previous work. Over a year from the release of Dead talk, along with a handful of singles and one of the best Ed Sheeran rock covers I've heard, their anticipated sophomore LP What If I Break has released, bringing in a bold new direction for the band, that is just as much influenced by top 40 artists such as Harry Styles or 5 Seconds of Summer as it is modern rock and metal outfits like Bad Omens and Dayseeker.

After hearing a slew of singles varying in sound and genre influences, the album itself opens with the track Feeding the Gods, which shows the dynamic vocal range of Trevor, starting with R&B style vocals with high production value beats backing, allowing him to showcase his clean vocals in the pre chorus. The guitar work then joins in, which while relatively simplistic, add to the complexity of the Chorus to make it all the more dynamic. Familiar backing tracks join back in while we get to hear some falsetto work from Trevor, before he brings in some aggressive screaming vocals going in to the second chorus, which bring back the heavier and tight metal/ hardcore guitar work Wind Walkers has previously been known for. This then fades from a short breakdown into one of the catchiest bridges in a metal track I've heard this year. The third time the chorus comes around the vocals are brought up an octave, and the instrumentals are now front and center. The opening track perfectly sets the stage for the overall sound of the album, it retains its heaviness, while bringing along just as many billboard pop sounding beats and vocals as it does mosh worthy guitar work and breakdowns. Arguably the heaviest track on the album, The Overlook, which opens with a short intro reminiscent of Watchtower by The Devil Wears Prada, immediately punches you in the face with very modern metal-core style drop G tuning guitar work. The first verse opens with some ambient synth work to really highlight Trevor's vocals, they use the pre-chorus to build to a huge chorus, bringing in group backing vocals, again, showing off Trevor's phenomenal vocal range. This track brings with it aggressive moments and vocals that immediately make you want to head bang, and catchy sing along choruses that Wind Walkers have been known for, while brining with it more mature and thought out lyricism. Dead Talk, the first of the singles to be released, is the next song on the album, which, while containing some of the most heartfelt and earnest songwriting, is probably one of the more predictable songs as far as the songwriting and instrumental work goes. The production and mix is well done, the instrumentation is tight and well played, and the intro and verses of this song really put the spotlight on drummer Ethan Cheesman, who grooves along very well, holding the song together as it fades between softer verses and heavier choruses. The breakdown in this song is my favorite on the album, with Ethan's percussion really sticking out in a positive way. An overall solid post-hardcore track through and through. Next up is easily one of the most exciting tracks, and my favorite track on the album, Bodybag starts off sounding like something that would be more at home on top 40 radio. The song is definitely heavily focused on the production and mixing, which is extremely catchy and groovy involving pitch shifted vocal tones throughout, which really add to the overall energetic vibe of the song. The lyrics on this track are brutally honest, with lines like "It's getting easier to lie on you knowing it ain't right," really focusing on a manipulative and self serving relationship from the point of view of the person perpetrating the behavior, telling their partner to "Leave me in a body bag," the lyrics, while honest and somber in content, are sung with the same power and emotion the rest of the song carries. This song also shows off some of the catchiest riffs coming from guitarists Tim and Neil Comeau. The instrumentation also falling off throughout the song to highlight the pop beats and build up the suspense in the huge choruses even more, just goes to highlight the evolution and growth in their songwriting Wind Walkers are truly capable of. This song goes to really highlight the evolution of the band, and the new level of lyricism separating them from their more juvenile lyrics in their previous album, sounding more like something you'd hear opening for Zedd or the Chainsmokers, while still sounding wholly like Wind Walkers. It perfectly leads into the next tracks, Euphoria (What a Feeling) and Dissipate, which both lead to further push the new direction the band wants to go in the same ways as previous tracks. Losing My Color is a much more somber addition with the track list, like the opening song, it returns more to an emphasis on songwriting and the dynamisms of Trevor Borgs vocals, with soft verses, large choruses, and beautiful falsettos. Hangfire, another one of the singles, is an anthemic arena track that I can only imagine will be a live performance mainstay going forward. While the ambient electronic backing tracks set the vibe in this song, again acting as a platform for the vocals, the chorus of this song shines a light on all the pieces as a whole. The vocals are catchy and perfect to sing along to, the guitar work is groovy and well played, and the percussion work on this song is some of the most complex and impressive on the album, with the kicks acting as the backbone for the instrumentals, while Ethan plays his heart out over top of it. The song is as emotional as it is catchy, all ramping up to a huge bridge and final chorus, with some of the most energetic instrumentation across the whole album before fading out beautifully. Drowning Hymns, the last of the singles, is another more predictable modern metal-core song, in no way bad, but not really adding anything more to the mix, another good, if a little forgettable modern metal track. The second to last track Almost Ecstasy, follows the same path as songs like Bodybag and Hangfire, with very production oriented verses and bridges, building up to big choruses, the difference being that in these larger moments, they are really acting as a platform to show off the guitar work above all else, which is very melodic and more technical on this track. Where as in some of the previous tracks, the guitar work melds in with the rest of the song, here it is really highlighted, with Tim and Neil playing off of one another perfectly. The song flows into a very melodic and unique breakdown behind the bridge, with hip hop beats backing Trevor's vocals, before bringing in some Polyphia-esque riffing before flowing into the final chorus. The Album closes with The Bends, which sound like something you'd hear in a dystopian sci-fi game like Cyberpunk 2077, with an eerie electronic ambience, setting up a very dark and moody rock song with some synthwave elements incorporated as well. While not as much traditional instrumentation is included, it goes to further push the boundaries of this project, and emphasize the notion that Wind Walkers are only moving forward.

After dropping in mid November, and having a month to really take it in, this album is easily one of the most exciting projects to come out of the rock and metal scene of 2023. Not only does it show an ability to grow and develop as a group, even following difficult hurdles for the band, it shows that Wind Walkers, like groups such as Bring Me The Horizon or Sleep Token, aren't afraid to push boundaries and experiment in a way that still manages to be wholly themselves. At its lowest points, a decent modern metal album, and at its peaks, a pop/metal post-genre masterpiece, showing that Wind Walkers are here to make their mark on the scene. Personally, I will be looking forward to see what Wind Walkers have in store for us next, and waiting with excitement!

8/10