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Life In Wallsocket
Sean Curcio
April Grey, professionally known as underscores, released their eye-opening album, “Wallsocket”, in September 2023. What was first just a collection of different genres thrown together, became a concept LP of the midwestern life of young American women.
Grey uniquely incorporates pop and country in her very electric rock-style album. This is present in the sudden style change halfway through her B-side song “Geez Louise”, which swaps from hard rock to folk country.
The album title is the name of the fictional town of Wallwocket, Michigan, where the songs' events occur. Chronologically, the album follows the life of three teenage women figuring out life.
Grey identifies as a trans woman and writes her struggles in the 12-track selection of “Wallscoket”. Her 4th track, “You don’t even know who I am” exemplifies this topic perfectly. A slow, almost unfinished-sounding chart gives off the feeling of hopelessness. The mellow guitar along with the repeated lyrics of the title shows how young trans women might feel isolated from the reality they wish to be a part of. Lyrics like, “I know where you came from,” and, “I know when your mom leaves,” lay out the idea of watching the rest of the world revolve while you are stationary.
Grey’s most controversial song, “Johnny Johnny Johnny,” discusses topics of child predators and the mental health of the victims. She got the influence of Foster the People’s “Pumped Up Kicked” to write a catchy song with a dark story.
Repeated in almost every track is the phrase “Good luck”. Its significance in each song does vary. Good luck is used in “Johnny Johnny Johnny” to wish luck on the young female character being preyed upon. “Geez Louise” wishes good luck to the women still trying to find their identity in the world.
Grey doesn’t leave any corner unturned with her latest work. From start to finish, she accomplishes the goal of representing the hidden life of some Americans, and the struggles they face growing up. While she does have strong triggers in several tracks, real life doesn’t protect you from these triggers. Neither does the town of “Wallsocket”.
