Ottilie Wallace’s “Throughout The Day” voices out the wonders and feelings of a teenager, ultimately becoming an accurate sound of what it means to be one in this day and age. Across ten tracks, piano and synth melodies merged together with on-point guitar solos in select parts.
The songs range from anger to reflection to positivity, creating a balance of emotions. It all starts with “Waiting On July”, which greets listeners with brilliant vocal harmonies and a melody that screams Christmas in July. We also get an initial taste of what Ottilie’s songwriting is like – “Sticks and stones will break my bones and words will ever hurt me”, an admission of vulnerability as a teenager, but as the album progresses, listeners will get to see the strength shining through this rising artist.
“Gaslighter” and “Toy” both seem like slam poetry, songs about complete expression of rage that will almost make you pity whoever these songs are intended to. It is also a wake-up call that everyone as early as fourteen (or maybe younger) experience toxic relationships and friendships already. Both are realizations of encountering this phenomenon, and the greatest part is both tracks end on a good note: she’s not dragged down by negativity, concluding in a way that she’d never be deceived again.
Some of these songs have potential, especially in the context of the rock scene. “Sugar High At Midnight” and “Survivor” embody this energy completely, with the latter having the same theme as the previous two: encountering hardships, people, and intriguingly, a hint of advice in some of the lines, “Friends aren’t here to stay / they’re not what they seem” and wise words of “We die when we lose / and live when we choose”. Honestly, it’s not that surprising, considering that the youth are always the ones to have the guts to speak up, and have running minds to come up with something so brilliant.
“Asylum” is probably the shiniest star on this record. The melody is exceptional, easy to follow yet catchy, and the concept is great. That one part in the chorus, “Where the birds / they echo my voice” and there’s a literal echo effect afterwards is a creative touch. Features a key change, as well as lyrics that make you ponder: “I seek asylum / I need help that I’m not gonna get”, “A girl laughs with half her face, we’re mad in here” makes you wonder, but that should be reserved for another conversation.
If the first half of the album is filled with hatred and in-depth themes, the other half is mostly on imagery and childlike wonder. “Fantasy World” has that same, great melody as Asylum, only it’s about lighter things, i.e. what one sees in their own fantasy world. “Rose Gold Sun” is about the title itself – not getting yourself down because things are going to look up one way or another. It’s honestly a great feel-good track, resembling the innocence and the positivity the youth bring to the world.
“Icy” is also more on imagery, picturing the ice, cold snow in wintertime. Amazingly, the synth in this song really does give winter energy, the chorus vocals are great with the harmonies, and its overall ambience seems fitting for an orchestra or a choir. There’s really nothing to hate about this track. However, given that some of the other songs contain more serious themes, this one could also be interpreted as such – “Be careful out there / it’s oh so icy” can refer to people with bad intentions, or another double meaning.
The record ends with “I Am Free”, which consists of a line that really sticks: “Finally I rest in peace / amongst thyme and wild roses / my bow and arrows sleep by my side / watched by the mountain eagle”. It’s poetic, a perfect sendoff to the album.
Overall, “Throughout The Day” explores an array of topics, sending listeners on a journey from the perspective of someone on the younger side. It’s new, unique, and lets Ottilie Wallace establish her signature tune in the music scene.
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About the Author
Kate Clarice Lee is a psychology major in Ateneo de Naga University with a knack for music and writing. She takes interest in playing guitar, poetry, creative writing, and lyrics that—subjectively—hit close to home. Kate mostly enjoys indie, alternative, pop & punk rock music.
