On the surface, Kings of Leon’s new album title may seem a little bland, but it’s really more intricate than you think. Though the record is called WALLS, the band isn’t necessarily referring to what divides a room – it’s actually an acronym for We Are Like Love Songs. The title makes a lot more sense in context with the album’s musical content, which we’ve been able to hear a couple songs from already. Recently, the band gave everyone another taste of what’s to come in the form of the song “Around the World.”
“Around the World” has already existed in a live setting when the band played it last month on Later … With Jools Holland, but they breathe new life into it with its studio version. The WALLS version ultimately packs a bigger punch with even crisper pop sensibilities, and with adventurous musicianship and catchy hooks galore, “Around the World” becomes one of the most accessible songs that Kings of Leon have ever written.
What stands out the most about what’s been heard from WALLS thus far is the diversity on each track, mostly thanks to the production work from the band’s new partner, Markus Dravs. Whether it’s a pop song, an indie rock banger, or an arena-ready anthem, Kings of Leon are seemingly delivering it all with WALLS, which drops in its entirety on October 14th.
