Review: "August 31st" - Tally Spear

Where has the year gone? That’s the driving thought behind Tally Spear’s latest single “August 31st”, a deeply introspective track all about lingering on the speed that the days have passed by with. Reflecting on what she calls “birthday anxiety”, it’s that feeling of wondering how the year has slipped past you and all of a sudden you’re back at your birthday. Highlighting both beginnings and endings, happiness and sadness, this track exemplifies the strange emotions that come with what is supposed to be a happy day– and yet, it’s so hard not to reflect on the time that is now gone. The song is decorated in all your classic pop rock and alternative influences, bringing the energy and thoughtful lyricism at the same time.

Obsessed doesn’t even describe a fraction of how I feel about “August 31st”. The soundscape is undeniably packed with pop rock stylings, with its gritty guitar and passionate percussion forming its soundscape’s backbone. If you love alternative or pop rock, you’re going to absolutely love this song– just like me. Everything about it feels like a cathartic confession, like you’re shouting your feelings to the sky with no one to judge you for it. And to add to that is the track’s lyrics, which speak of how time passes without us even realizing it. I especially love how the song’s title reflects its message in a subtle way, describing the end of summer and the beginning of fall. “August 31st” is filled with dichotomies and juxtapositions– can you be happy while sad? Can things end while others begin? The answer is yes and yes, but that doesn’t make moving on any easier. If you also suffer from birthday anxiety– or just linger on the past more than you probably should– then “August 31st” is for you.

Tally Spear is a singer-songwriter who is making energized alt-pop songs. With themes of social commentary and personal conflict in her music, her relatability and honesty makes her tracks feel like they’re speaking directly to you. Her debut single “What Do I Want” dropped in 2020, and was followed that same year by her debut EP Tally. She has enjoyed support from BBC Introducing London, Radio 1, and Kerrang!. Her powerful vocals and distinctly precise songwriting make her a fresh face in the world of pop and alternative music. If you loved “August 31st”, be sure to drop Tally a follow on her socials!

Written By Alexa Leung

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