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Writer's pictureSammie Starr

Album Review: Valleyheart - 'Heal My Head'

Massachusetts cinematic alternative-rock band Valleyheart candy-coat the week with their new poignant and emotional defining release Heal My Head via Tooth & Nail Records.



There is a common saying that "Art imitates life." It should inspire. Ignite something within us to speak on things within, that would otherwise lay dormant. For rare alternative rock gems such as Valleyheart, the concept of breathing cinematic magic, emotional resonance, and artistic dynamics is something they appreciate and know well.


“Carousel" comes through towards the end of our nostalgic journey, brilliantly gifted with a bow in early 2000s cinematic alternative-rock bliss. For fans of the era, it honestly does not get any better than this. For those late-night car rides, longboarding trips, or just sitting outside doing nothing, it's a track to lose all aural sense of reality.”

Looking back on their 2018 release, Everyone I've Ever Loved, Valleyheart pushed the personal boundaries and artistic motility with the concepts of love, faith, and friendships. Now with their new release Heal My Head via Tooth & Nail Records, Valley Heart takes the themes of identity and existence and euphorically takes us on their painful journey forward.


As only Valleyheart can, we start with an eloquent experience, "Birth."A gorgeous atmospheric display that emotionally engulfs the listener from the beginning, we immediately know what we are getting as we jump into the rest of the album.


Touching moments like "Miracle" certainly drive the record forward. With its powerful lyricism being the high point of this track, offset by moody vocals and dazzling instrumental attention to detail, it will become a favorite on the record.


Another infectious synth-defining juncture on this album is "Heal My Head." Upbeat, spontaneous, and a welcomed instrumental distraction, it brings up the vibrations on the album without sacrificing lyrical or subject worth. Worth noting, adding the tiny afternotes of piano in between the instrumental backdrop makes this one of the more special listening experiences within the record.


We then come to a sun-soaked track, "Your Favorite Jacket." Feeling the breeze, heat, and warm rays within all the lyricism and instrumental energy, Valleyheart took the time not just with this track, but with each moment of this experience to have us feel each one. Being one of the best defining moments on the record, this will be a summer favorite.


Vocally, is where Valleyheart stands out the most on "Back and Forth." The band has already made it eloquently clear that they are story-telling geniuses up to this point, even at times making you feel it within the pit of your stomach in terms of emotionally rattling you from the inside out. "Back and Forth" is no different, with the rest of the songs delivering that same hit from this point forward.


"Carousel" comes through towards the end of our nostalgic journey, brilliantly gifted with a bow in early 2000s cinematic alternative-rock bliss. For fans of the era, it honestly does not get any better than this. For those late-night car rides, longboarding trips, or just sitting outside doing nothing, it's a track to lose all aural sense of reality.


We then come to an effective close with the track "6:26." Showing how incredible Valleyheart is at putting you in the moment with orchestral ambiance with just a small one-minute outro, we come to a dramatic close for what has been one exceptional roller-coaster ride of an album. Valleyheart has proven themselves with this release that they deserve a seat at the table within top-tier bands of the scene. Everything about this shows class and commitment to their craft. If they keep delivering masterpieces like this, Valleyheart has a very long and fruitful future ahead of them.



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