The opening track, “The Walls are Closing In/Hangman”, one of the longest on the album at just under 7 minutes, starts off slow with a beautiful piano intro and smoky vocals, which turns into a catchy guitar riff, before bursting into an epic rock anthem. The song, which the band says was inspired by a poem written by Chidiock Tichbourne on the eve of his execution, speaks of having control over your mind and soul, no matter what is happening to your body.
“Oh my God” one of the fastest, heaviest and most agressive songs on the album features in your face lyrics about struggling with self-worth and negative thoughts constantly running through your head (“Oh my god, wish I was dead, wish I could turn off the noise in my head”), while “Take me Down” the album’s first single, has more of a country feel and features an easy to sing along to chorus that will be stuck in your head for days.
Some of the slower songs on the album, including “Bedroom Window” and the album’s title track “Who You Selling For” have a very raw feel to them. Momsen’s vocals paired with a soft guitar showcases her versatile sound, while “The Devil’s Back”, the longest track on the album, allows you to completely lose yourself in the meaningful lyrics and soothing sounds of the guitar for seven minutes.
Written while on tour and feeling isolated from the world around them, the overall theme of the album is about feeling lost and alone, struggling with dark thoughts and other people’s perception of you, but continuing to live your life and let the music help you to heal. Although the lyrics can be confronting, the sound and energy of each track will resonate in your bones and leave you wanting to jump around the room and dance along. Definitely one to be listened to loud.
Written by Amber Eccles
