B-Side Guys

The Fourth Wall’s “No Daggers,” a standout from their latest album Return Forever, plunges listeners into a world of haunting melodies and deep introspection. Blending shoegaze, indie rock, and alternative rock, the track echoes the innovative sounds of Deerhunter, My Bloody Valentine, and SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE. With this release, The Fourth Wall crafts an evocative narrative that wrestles with the complexities of the immigrant experience and the relentless quest for joy amidst personal and historical turmoil.

Stephen Agustin, the band’s principal songwriter, infuses “No Daggers” with a raw emotionality drawn from his own family’s history. The lyrics, “Must it always hurt / For the wheels to turn / Can I love you still without any daggers,” explore the cyclical nature of pain and love, set against the backdrop of lush, cinematic soundscapes. The interplay of distorted guitars and ethereal harmonies, enriched by the addition of Kendall Sallay, creates a sonic depth that mirrors the song’s thematic weight.

Recorded during the isolating months of the pandemic, Return Forever represents a significant evolution for The Fourth Wall. The album’s meticulous production, spearheaded by Agustin and the band, offers an intimate and authentic listening experience. The choice to self-record imbues “No Daggers” with a sense of immediacy and personal connection, making each note and lyric resonate deeply. This track is a clear reflection of the band’s growth, both musically and emotionally.

“No Daggers” delves into the concept of forgetting as a survival mechanism, a theme that Agustin poignantly captures in lines like, “No one has to understand it all or forgive it all / When the codes reset forgetting all to save it all.” The song grapples with the necessity of letting go to move forward, yet it’s tinged with the melancholy of lost memories. The Fourth Wall navigates this tension masterfully, blending a sense of melancholy with an undercurrent of hope.

As a keystone of Return Forever, “No Daggers” exemplifies The Fourth Wall’s ability to fuse complex themes with engaging, layered music. The track’s haunting yet hopeful nature ensures it leaves a lasting impression, marking a high point in the band’s discography. For fans of shoegaze and indie rock, this song is a testament to The Fourth Wall’s skill in turning personal and collective struggles into compelling art.