After several years of fan-demand for a full length body of work, British-Australian singer and songwriter Ruel has delivered his debut album ‘4TH WALL’
After taking shape over the past few years, with the pandemic and lockdowns causing an endless array of delays to the creative process, the musician has captivated what this period of time has looked like for him within these 14 tracks.
Since 2018, Ruel has released three EP’s, ‘Ready’, ‘Free Time’ and ‘Bright Lights Red Eyes’, a collection of songs that all mark his growth and improvement since the release of his first solo single ‘Don’t Tell Me.
Opener ‘GO ON WITHOUT ME’ celebrates 80’s pop music, with the up-tempo piano intro giving off a “false sense of security” as Ruel explains.
Covering themes of heartbreak and coming to the realisation that you may not be able to give somebody what they deserve in a relationship, this track was my personal favourite upon first listen and beyond.
“If I could give you the world, I would give you the world.
Yeah it’s what you deserve, but go on without me”
‘I DON’T WANNA BE LIKE YOU’ follows, the final single that was released before the album.
Teenage angst reigns in this anthem, with Ruel writing it about “people trying to spoon feed me and treat me like they know what’s best for me more than I do.”
The outro of the song also includes the instrumental, which was played in the initial album announcement, proving to be a full-circle moment.
Track three is titled ‘SITTING IN TRAFFIC’, another personal favourite.
A switch from the previous fast-paced openers, this slow-burning moment is set “at the end of the honeymoon phase” and explores the anxieties that are coupled with this.
“JAPANESE WHISKEY” is track 4, a song that was previously teased live at a couple of Ruel’s previous tour dates in 2022 instantly becoming a much-anticipated fan favourite.
“I can’t decide, if I like it or just can’t let go”
Piano-led and wistful before building to a dynamic second half, this song is described as “a metaphor for something you like the idea of, more than the actual reality.”
Track 5 is “GROWING UP IS __”, the first single that was released from the album in December last year.
An ode to what it’s like to navigate your teen years, the underline in the title “is to show that we all have different experiences of growing up”, leaving fans to interpret the song to match their own thoughts and feelings.
“SET YOURSELF ON FIRE” follows, another song that particularly resonated with me as it acts as a reminder that it’s normal to feel “lost and unsure about what to do with yourself” and to “keep having fun with the people around you.”
Showcasing his vulnerability, the narrative shifts in track seven to ‘LIE’, a song that conveys the pain of watching somebody lose feelings in a relationship as you yearn for them to still love you.
“So lie and you say you love me, lie one more time, stay with me and painfully, just say we’ll be alright”
‘LET THE GRASS GROW’ is track eight, the second single that was released from the album in March 2022.
Another deeply personal track with compelling tones, this song brings light to the prominent issue of climate change and “the feeling of being completely helpless” when trying to prevent such problems.
‘YOU AGAINST YOURSELF’ another previous single, follows. A defining point of the start of the 4th WALL era, this intervention acts as a warning, telling somebody that “the direction they’re heading in is going to end up hurting them or someone else”, while also acting as a reassurance that “I was still there for them.”
The upbeat tempo makes this song one of the most energetic to play live, with Ruel being able to play it to fans across a number of pop-up shows at the end of last year, including a date at Omeara, London.
The next track ‘SOMEONE ELSE’S PROBLEM’ was also first previewed at this string of pop-up shows.
A light-hearted yet still empowering break-up tune, this song reflects on the benefits that leaving a toxic relationship can bring and realising that you are better off without the individual.
“Every day’s getting better, Now the rain finally let up,
Nobody to stress me out, You’re someone else’s problem now”
‘WISH I HAD YOU’ follows, the start of the final stretch of beautifully devastating songs.
A narrative shift from previous song ‘LIE’, this track instead looks at a failing relationship from the another point of view, using “reverse psychology to get them back”.
”I’ll lie and say I’m having fun, When the opposite is true”
Track 12 is titled ‘IF AND/OR WHEN’, with Ruel describing it as his most “honest and personal” track.
With a thriving music career requiring Van Dijk to often travel around the world, he admits that “when I think that everything is amazing, instantly I’m afraid that something bad might happen.”
“You could lose patience while, I’m on the other side of the Earth”
Another personal favourite on the album, this track showcases Ruel’s raspy vocals and ability to tell a provoking story within his music.
‘MUST BE NICE’ is the next track, also addressing themes of lingering breakup, particularly when the other person involved “is getting on with their life.”
This ballad once again gives us insight into the more intimate side of the musician, with vulnerable falsetto and raw and emotional performance.
The final track “END SCENE” is inspired by the final scene in movie ‘Fight Club’ and was the first song of 100 that was written for the album.
“Remember I jumped out of the car, To prove I was alive, And it reminds me of the first time”
As Ruel explains that this song always felt like it was “signifying the end of something”, this final reflection acts as the perfect closing track.
This labour of love was more than worth the wait and we are excited to welcome Ruel back to the UK in September, as part of his 4th WALL world tour.
4th WALL is available now on all streaming platforms.