The Hallelujah Ward Unveil Vibrant Indie Rock Album ‘Everybody Swoons’ Out Today! Featuring Rom-Com Inspired Focus Track “Social Grace”

An album about mortality and embracing life, Everybody Swoons is an album that’s been a long in gestation for Waldoch. “This is the first group I’ve ever been in where the majority of my ‘artistic’ choices weren’t being questioned, dismissed or denigrated,” he explains, reflecting on his decades-long career in music. “This kind of artistic freedom comes with its own baggage, but it’s easier to choose how much you wish to carry, and I’m nothing but grateful right now.” Containing tributes to late artists whose deaths he mourns such as Mimi Parker of Low (“Nobody’s Ghost“) and Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit (“Your Uncertain Shadow“),” the eight-song collection reminds listeners of the fragility of life. But despite its heavy subject matter, Everybody Swoons isn’t a mournful record. Its somber topics are often balanced out with vibrant indie rock and indie pop, with hints of the music that inspired him, such as The Cure, Siouxsie & the Banshees, the Smiths, R.E.M., the Velvet Underground, and Love and Rockets.

Joined with drummer Dan Didier (The Promise Ring, Maritime) and bassist Paul Hancock (Testa Rosa), The Hallelujah Ward embraces its influences with gusto, creating a mix that is potent and familiar without being derivative. Waldoch gushes that his favorite track, ““Diet Suicide“ is the song folks often walk away with as a favorite live. I’m just airing my grievances at being a cog in the machine of the world on this one. But it definitely slaps.” The new album also features the driving “Manageable Oblivion” chimes with a propulsive muscular rhythm section that highlights Waldoch’s lyrics, describing “a modern person’s disillusionment at the world living in a one-horse town.” The album closer “Back of the Line” is a defiant rebuttal for those who don’t reciprocate. With the lyrics, “You never used to rely on your pride to bag a good time / You never used to refrain from my good name / My unused years you may decline / But then you get to the back of the line,” it’s the perfect album ender for such an emotionally cathartic release.

Didier reflects on the band’s dynamic and writing Everybody Swoons, “The songwriting is a departure from what I have been generally playing over the past 30 years which took me out of my comfort zone and made me a better drummer. Also, the fact that we are a trio means you can’t really hide behind anything. Every part, every phrase, needs to meld with the other two instruments and not stick out like a sore thumb. That’s been really challenging and rewarding.”