Rating: 8/10
Walls, Louis Tomlinson’s debut solo studio album, shows a lot of emotional and musical maturity. While I am a huge fan of One Direction’s music, I don’t think it’s unfair to say that they weren’t allowed to get too personal in those songs. Walls sees Louis pouring his heart out about everything that’s been going on in his life, and I think he managed to put together a great selection of songs. I would say something about how great the lyricism throughout this album is, but we’ve always known that Louis is an amazing songwriter (the majority of One Direction’s best songs were written by him).
In this post I’ll be ranking all of the songs from Walls from worst to best. Hope you enjoy!
12. We Made It (Track 4)
I actually really like the guitar in this song, and I like the descriptiveness in the verses, where Louis details the earlier memories from his relationship. However, I’m not crazy about the hook, and the melody of the chorus doesn’t really grab me.
11. Don’t Let It Break Your Heart (Track 2)
I really like the message of this song, which is that life is inevitably going to give you challenges, but you have to keep going and keep your head up. But similarly to We Made It, I’m just not crazy about the hook (I really like the phrase “don’t let it break your heart”, I just don’t love the way it was sung). Also, I’ve heard people say that the chorus of this song sounds like Steal My Girl, and I guess I sort of hear it, but not really.
10. Too Young (Track 5)
This is a really sweet and gentle song. It’s an ode to a partner who Louis let go of because he kept hearing people say that they would never last (due to their young age). This song sees him regretting that decision, and apologizing to the partner. It’s a really nice song, but sonically, it’s not too enticing to me. “It’s been two years since I’ve seen your face. I’m tryna find some better words to say before I let this moment slip away…”
9. Two of Us (Track 3)
“It’s been a minute since I called you, just to hear the answerphone. Yeah, I know that you won’t get this, but I’ll leave a message so I’m not alone. This morning I woke up still dreaming, with memories playing through my head. You’ll never know how much I miss you, the day that they took you, I wish it was me instead.” Okay, this is an incredibly beautiful and sad song. It was written for his late mother, Johannah, and it’s basically about Louis trying to keep going with his life even if she’s not physically with him anymore. The lyrics in this song are so powerful and honest and raw, and I really admire Louis for making this song, because it must have been really hard for him. I feel kind of bad for ranking this song relatively low, but melody-wise, it’s not really up my alley, and it gives me temporary depression every time I listen to it. Nonetheless, this is a very heartfelt and personal song.
8. Always You (Track 8)
I’d argue that this is one of the more musically-differentiated songs on Walls. It’s more pop-oriented than most of the songs on this album, and I actually really like the instrumental track for this song. Louis’ vocals are really nice, and the lyrics are solid as always. It’s not an absolute favorite, but it’s very respectable.
7. Kill My Mind (Track 1)
This was one of the first songs that I listened to from the album, and I really liked it, so I thought it was going to be one of my top favorites, but due to the very impressive tracks scattered throughout Walls, I guess it’s going to be placed in the middle. This is a really cool song. I think that sums it up pretty well. This song is just cool. It’s upbeat and energetic and slick, and Louis doesn’t hold back when it comes to melody and vocals in this song, which I appreciate.
6. Defenceless (Track 11)
This is a really good song. Lyrically, it’s pretty vulnerable (as the title suggests). The chorus is really cool and grabbing. This is a pretty good song, and I definitely like it a lot within the context of the album, but it’s not an absolute favorite. “No, you don’t have to keep on being strong for me and you. Acting like you feel no pain, you know I know you do. And I can’t get inside when you’re lost in your pride, but you don’t have a thing to prove.”
5. Perfect Now (Track 10)
I really wish I didn’t enjoy this song as much as I do. Curse you, amazing acoustic guitar. In general, I tend to cringe a little at songs that highlight the insecurities of a girl, and then basically use them to say “But I still like you.” Now, you may have just read that and thought, “What the frick Anna? You’ve stated that you like both What Makes You Beautiful and Little Things, two songs that fall into that category.” And yes, it’s true. I enjoy both of those songs. WMYB, mostly because it doesn’t get too specific about the girl’s insecurities, and Little Things, mostly because it’s a great acoustic ballad regardless of the lyrical content, and the lyrics are sweet if you take off your cynical-lensed goggles. And that’s why I can say that I like this song. Lyrically, it’s a bit cringy, but it’s well-meaning, and this song sounds great (especially in the verses. Man, those verses sound crazy good). Louis’ voice sounds wonderful, and the practically-foolproof musical combination of guitar and strings is so sweet and delicate.
4. Only the Brave (Track 12)
My favorite part of this song is the guitar. If you can’t tell, I’m a sucker for acoustic guitar (I mean, pretty much all types of guitar, but especially acoustic). Louis’ voice sounds absolutely lovely in this song, and the lyrics are very interesting and introspective. This is a short but sweet closer for the album, and an overall lovely track.
3. Fearless (Track 9)
Maybe I just automatically like songs that are called Fearless (yes, that was a Taylor Swift nod). This song has a slightly sad quality to it, but it’s still kind of inspiring. Honestly, I don’t know why this song strikes a chord with me, but it does. Firstly, Louis sounds great. Secondly, the melody of this song is one that I can really get behind. Thirdly, I kind of take this song to be a bit reflective of Louis’ time in 1D, and maybe some of the nerves that he felt during that time, so that adds a certain sentimental and emotional quality to the song.
2. Walls (Track 6)
You can hear a lot of Louis’ musical influences in this song, which is cool. This was a song that I was really pleasantly surprised by. When I first heard it I knew it was gonna be one of my favorites. Louis’ voice sounds really great here, and the melody of this song is beautiful. You can also tell that this song means a lot to Louis (I’m pretty sure he’s said that it’s his favorite on the album, which is why he made it the titular track) and the lyrics are very thoughtful and self-reflective. My favorite part is when he sings “I watch them all come falling down for you”. I guess because he just sings it in a really nice way. Overall, this is just a great song.
1. Habit (Track 7)
“I always said that I’d mess up eventually. I told you that, so what did you expect from me? It shouldn’t come as no surprise anymore. I know you said that you’d give me another chance, but you and I knew the truth of it in advance, that mentally you were already out the door.” I don’t think this was the first song that I heard from the album, but it was definitely one of the first ones I heard, and I knew right away it would be hard to beat. This song is fricking awesome. It’s by far my favorite. From the gorgeous guitar (yeah okay, we get it. I’m an absolute sucker for acoustic guitar) to Louis’ wonderful vocals, and the touching lyrics, this song is just pure beauty. Louis mentioned in the track-by-track that this song is somewhat inspired by his relationship with his career, which I think is cool. I put this song in one of my monthly music recaps because it was just so good that I had to add it to one of my playlists. In summation, this song is amazing and incredibly beautiful, and Louis did an amazing job with it. Also, we love the 1D reference in the second verse. “I took some time ’cause I ran out of energy, of playing someone I heard I’m supposed to be, but honestly, I don’t have to choose anymore. And it’s been ages, different stages, come so far from Princess Park. I’ll always need you in front of me, in front of me.”
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