Valley Drops An Intimate V-Day Present For Their Fans
Toronto’s alt-pop sweethearts bare it all on their cumulative release, Last Birthday (The After Party).
by Aurora Zboch
With impressive release pace, Valley have established themselves as Toronto’s alt-pop sweethearts, and they’re devoted to satisfying fans with a deluxe album titled Last Birthday (The After Party). The LP pairs the band’s two recent EPs – October’s Last Birthday and January’s The After Party – with track-by-track commentary.
When they’re not making ridiculous skits and rehearsal TikToks on a rapidly growing page that spawned viral hits like “SOCIETY” and “Like 1999,” Valley vividly capture the effervescent moments of falling in and out of love. “Tempo” is a song fit for a dance party with that special someone, and as singer Rob Laska explains on the latest project, it encapsulates “being obsessed with a moment in time you never want to end.”
“Songs have their seasons,” Laska says, reflecting on “ain’t my girl,” the very first song Valley wrote as a band seven years ago. Heavily informed by their roots in the greater Toronto area, the commentary also includes stories about writing on the local GO Train, references to Jim Carrey, and late nights with best friends at Denny’s.
Valley also lets us know that love songs aren’t exclusive to your beau; they’re for friends and family too. The song on the album, “Last Birthday,” is dedicated to this kind of everlasting friendship, the bow on top of the quartet’s musical bond. By the end of the song’s new music video (see below), Valley are the last four standing amid confetti in a dance hall, celebrating each other’s presence and the kind of love that stands the test of time.
But it’s “Paper Cup (sorry for myself)” that reminds listeners it’s just as important to save some space and love for yourself. While floating on dreamy melodies, the lyrics hit on tender points during an especially difficult time for many.
Valley’s first North American headlining tour begins February 16 in Boston and leads them to New York’s Governors Ball music festival on June 11. Looking for a fun date idea? Grab tickets to their show, send your favourite person a Valley song, and watch them swoon.
