<p>The rising Austin, TX-based band, <a href="http://linktr.ee/hallo_theband">Hallo,</a> has just released their debut LP, <em>Unsaved. </em>This 7-song album captures the raw emotions of a young person navigating rejection from friends and family after leaving the family church, breaking free from toxic relationships, and ultimately finding self-worth during three transformative winters in Amsterdam. <em>Unsaved </em>is an incredible piece of music from start to finish. Each track presents a unique sound and dynamic instrumental arrangements, all while staying anchored by irresistibly catchy vocal melodies. This is definitely a record that is worth listening to in its entirety.</p>
<p><a href="https://rockthepigeon.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/albumartfinal-1733929824749.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-28548" src="https://rockthepigeon.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/albumartfinal-1733929824749.jpg" alt="" width="5000" height="5000" /></a></p>
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<p>The lead single from the album, &#8220;Cold Magic,&#8221; serves as a perfect introduction to Hallo&#8217;s emotive sound. Paired with a vibrant and dreamy music video, the song captivates listeners from the very first note. Tiana Stuart&#8217;s distinctive vocals open the track, setting the tone before the full band joins in. Her unique tone and delivery, marked by seamless transitions between chest voice and falsetto, create a mesmerizing effect. She sings <em>&#8220;My memories live under waves, in an ocean full of currents drowned by age&#8230;knowing the rules and all the moves but not the game&#8230;&#8221; </em>With its ear-catching melody, &#8220;Cold Magic&#8221; draws listeners in, making it easy to fall in love with the sound of Hallo. The single landed as track two on the 7 song record, but we felt that this was a great starting place for our readers.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;I feel like that song really captures feelings that I hadn&#8217;t been able to describe before writing that song.&#8221; &#8211; Tiana Stuart of Hallo on &#8220;Cold Magic&#8221; </em></p></blockquote>
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<p><span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><amp-youtube data-videoid="pWYLKb7CNBk" data-param-rel="1" data-param-showsearch="0" data-param-showinfo="1" data-param-iv_load_policy="1" data-param-fs="1" data-param-hl="en-US" data-param-autohide="2" data-param-wmode="transparent" width="730" height="411" layout="responsive"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWYLKb7CNBk" placeholder><amp-img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pWYLKb7CNBk/hqdefault.jpg" alt="YouTube Poster" layout="fill" object-fit="cover"><noscript><img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pWYLKb7CNBk/hqdefault.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="YouTube Poster"></noscript></amp-img></a></amp-youtube></span></p>
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<p>Let’s dive into the rest of the record, starting with its powerful opening track, “Wake Up.” The song sets the tone with atmospheric sounds of church bells, footsteps, and some shuffling, before distorted guitars gradually take over, building into an explosive, rock ‘n’ roll energy. As Tiana Stuart’s vocals enter, the track transitions into an indie pop-rock ballad with unforgettable hook melodies that carry strongly from verse to chorus. Between vocal lines, the psychedelic-leaning bass line adds another layer of intrigue, inviting repeat listens. Lyrically, “Wake Up” explores the tension between following your conscience and being led astray by your heart, offering a powerful reminder to avoid falling back into toxic patterns.</p>
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<p>&#8220;I Know Better&#8221; continues the themes introduced in &#8220;Wake Up,&#8221; delving into the struggle of resisting toxic patterns. The lyrics reflect a deep internal battle, serving as a firm reminder to stay away and prioritize self-preservation. Musically, the track channels 90s grunge vibes, with a tension-building bass line and distorted guitars steeped in minor chord progressions that amplify its emotional weight. With hook melodies as compelling as the record’s opening tracks, &#8220;I Know Better&#8221; solidifies the first half of the album as a standout showcase of Hallo’s strength and depth.</p>
<p><a href="https://rockthepigeon.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1dx-4039-1733929954002-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-28554" src="https://rockthepigeon.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1dx-4039-1733929954002-1.jpg" alt="" width="4028" height="2685" /></a></p>
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<p>The record takes on a more mellow sound with &#8220;Worth It All,&#8221; a song of hope and renewal. Lyrically, it speaks to the power of new beginnings, finding the distance needed to heal and eventually thrive. As days pass without the weight of toxic relationships, self-worth and confidence begin to grow. The journey starts with the courageous decision to step away from toxicity, a challenging but transformative step toward a healthier life. Driven by acoustic guitars, the track remains mellow, though it swells at times with soaring instrumentation and heartfelt vocals. There’s a sense of peace within the song, yet it retains the tenderness of pain, capturing the complexity of healing from toxic relationships.</p>
<p><span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><amp-youtube data-videoid="nr-CTIfygrM" data-param-rel="1" data-param-showsearch="0" data-param-showinfo="1" data-param-iv_load_policy="1" data-param-fs="1" data-param-hl="en-US" data-param-autohide="2" data-param-wmode="transparent" width="730" height="411" layout="responsive"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr-CTIfygrM" placeholder><amp-img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nr-CTIfygrM/hqdefault.jpg" alt="YouTube Poster" layout="fill" object-fit="cover"><noscript><img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nr-CTIfygrM/hqdefault.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="YouTube Poster"></noscript></amp-img></a></amp-youtube></span></p>
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<p>The energy ramps back up with &#8220;Daylight,&#8221; featuring driving drums and sharp, distorted guitar stabs. The band bursts into the track with high energy, setting the tone right away. The verses deliver a catchy, uplifting melody that radiates joy and peace, while the chorus brings back the band’s rock &#8216;n&#8217; roll edge. The vocals shift effortlessly to match the anthemic intensity of the instrumentation, creating a dynamic and exhilarating moment in the record. This one is another catchy piece of music!<a href="https://rockthepigeon.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1dx-4593-1733930098061.jpg"><img class="wp-image-28550 alignright" src="https://rockthepigeon.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1dx-4593-1733930098061.jpg" alt="" width="735" height="1103" /></a></p>
<p>&#8220;Happy For Holy&#8221; may be the most emotional track on this record. It is about one of the hardest things in life, that not many experience &#8211; losing your family because of personal differences. This time it is about religious differences. Hallo has left the family&#8217;s church and religion to become her own. This song gives the listeners just a little taste of the pain that comes along with it. However, there is a sense of peace throughout the track. Hallo knows that she has made the right decision for her. That sense of confidence can be heard in her vocal delivery from start to finish.</p>
<p>The track ends with a high energy, 90s grunge, song &#8220;Giving You Up.&#8221; This song offers one of the most complex vocal deliveries. Hallo really lets her voice and talent shine throughout the track. The vocal melody comes off as very difficult, but she totally nails it, shifting in intensity as the band pulls the energy in and out. Tiana of Hallo says that this song was the most fun to record, stating:<em> &#8220;Giving You Up was so fun. I went into the studio expecting to track some very specific background vocals, but I completely changed everything in the moment and it was a blast. I love those harmonies so much. I also love the chaotic ending. It&#8217;s the last song we play live, and it&#8217;s such a blast to sing. Plus, I was pissed as fuck when I wrote it, so I will say it&#8217;s been the most healing to perform.&#8221;</em></p>
<p>Listen to the record on Spotify now:</p>
<p><iframe title="Spotify Embed: Unsaved" style="border-radius: 12px" width="100%" height="352" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/3EUpT2U778B61N59QSAES8?si=XdnjQWfcShaswzGZaCv56g&#038;utm_source=oembed"></iframe></p>
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<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Written by<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ryancassata/"> <span class="s2">Ryan Cassata</span></a> </span></p>
<p class="p2">Submit a single,<a href="https://www.submithub.com/blog/rock-the-pigeon-music-blog"> <span class="s4">here</span></a>.</p>
<p class="p2">Submit an EP or LP,<a href="https://www.submithub.com/m/u/ryancassatareviews"> <span class="s4">here</span></a>.</p>
<p class="p2">Submithub Coupon. <a href="https://www.submithub.com/coupon/ryancassata"><span class="s4">here</span></a>.</p>
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