Valley Traverses the Spectrum of Human Emotion with ‘Lost In Translation’

Valley released their long-anticipated sophomore album “Lost In Translation” June 23, after teasing the record with five singles.

Starting in January with “Throwback Tears” and ending with “We Don’t Need Malibu” two days prior to the full album release, Valley gave their 2 million+ listeners a robust taste of what they would be getting from “Lost In Translation.”

In one sense, the record embodies exactly what you would expect from an alt-pop group in 2023– a short intro track that flows seamlessly into the body of the album filled with existential dread and tech-heavy texture. On the other hand, “Lost In Translation” diverts from what we’ve come to expect from the genre in terms of summer bops.

Instead of the traditional soaring synth pop melodies and vocal runs lamenting another broken heart or celebrating chronic Peter Pan Syndrome, Valley produces a collection of songs that, at first listen, seem to span all five stages of grief but landing firmly in acceptance — a seemingly perfect recipe for your go-to breakup soundtrack. But it’s murky below the surface.

“Throwback Tears,” “Have A Good Summer (Without Me)” and “Good, but not together” communicate a sense of finality you don’t often find in alt-pop records known for their tongue in cheek laissez-faire ambiguity.

But Valley couldn’t leave it there. The album is peppered with easy casual love anthems like “Natural,” “Break For You” and “We Don’t Need Malibu” in case they find a listener that’s actually having a successful hot girl summer.

“I thought i could fly” and “Either Way, I’’m Going Your Way” provide an almost jarring sonic contrast by way of a brief acoustic interlude complete with chirping birds. Based on the cohesion of the album outside of these two tracks, a listener would have to believe the stark difference is strategic. But for what, I can’t tell.

With “Lost In Translation,” Valley knows exactly what they are doing—even if no one else does—by creating tracks for everyone that can’t decide how they feel from one day to the next.

Listen and join me in basking in the whiplash.