I have no problems “The Problem Song”.
Written by: Shauna Hilferty
Last week, Toronto-based four piece group Valley released their newest track, “The Problem Song.” The type of song that the audience can so easily scream back to the band, Valley’s indie-pop, less-than-perfect relationship anthem is a juxtaposition in itself. How can a chant revolving around a relationship on the rocks be so goddamn catchy?
Valley’s use of vocal inflections and experimental sounds shines in the first few seconds of the single and again after the first time the chorus is sung. Acting as the baseline, the vocal distortions act as a beat and contrast well with Rob’s and Kara’s harmonies. The bridge breakdown is definitely my favorite part of the song. Valley is no stranger to a banging bridge breakdown, that takes the listener all the way up to resolve with a few lines sung acoustically before the final chorus reprise.
The normalization of therapy, problems, and “starting over” – all words said multiple times, verbatim in the single – is refreshing. Fans enjoy music they can relate to, and sometimes it can be so hard to broach some of the topics this single so eloquently and joyfully emphasizes.
Valley’s always been the type to be nearly painfully, exceptionally self-aware. Whether the subject of their melodic and upbeat tracks center around relationships with one’s self or others, there is no doubt you will find yourself bobbing your head along to the beat of whatever professing poem they put out.