Pale Waves’ ‘The Hard Way’ Evokes Memories of Death and Regret

Pale Waves have released another single, ‘The Hard Way’, from their upcoming third album ‘Unwanted’ and it is as beautifully heart wrenching as previous works. 

A heartbreaking story about a suicide of a fellow student of lead singer Heather Baron-Gracie, the song starts as a slow, reserved acoustic ballad. 

Drawing the audience into this tragic true story and how so many fall victim to the isolation of bullying at a young age. The song's chorus really hits home this isolation and inactivity of those around you during those formative years. “That you were okay / I didn’t protect you / Thought it wasn’t my place / But I learned the hard way”. 

As the song progresses, this new type of Pale Waves pop rock style kicks in which is becoming more frequent with their latest single releases. The feelings of hurt and guilt come screaming into the forefront here. Baron-Gracie shouts what she should have, and what people now should do in these situations. The juxtaposition of these two styles at either end of the song accentuate its message and the unique style of Pale Waves storytelling and song writing.

The track's sound design, from acoustics, to heavy rock in the finale with a large emphasis on the personal stories of Baron-Gracie is seen in other tracks from the upcoming album ‘Unwanted’ such as ‘Lies’ and ‘Jealousy’ showing an exciting theme Baron-Gracie and Pale Waves seem to be curating. ‘The Hard Way’ may be the best of the bunch with regard to this thematic style.

‘Unwanted’ is set to release August 12th 2022.

George Spearing

@g_man_spears

 

Image: ‘The Hard Way’ Official Single Cover