Valley is celebrating ten years of making music together, and with their latest album Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden, they’ve shown just how much they’ve grown. Dropping today via Universal Music Canada/Capitol Records, this album feels like a fresh start for a band that’s already had an impressive run.
Valley formed in 2014 in Toronto, coming together after a happy accident where two bands were double-booked for the same studio time. That moment of fate led to the creation of Valley, a band that has since blended indie-pop with heartfelt lyrics and melodies reminiscent of the best of Bleachers and Vampire Weekend. With three JUNO Award nominations and over 1.1 billion streams under their belt, Valley found themselves at a crossroads last fall. Instead of crumbling, they went back to their roots, rediscovering an old demo that became the title track and the spark for a whole new sound.
The album kicks off with the titular track, “Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden,” a song that wraps introspective lyrics in nostalgic, feel-good melodies. The opening lyric, “No one knows, no one cares,” instantly sets the tone for a reflective journey. It’s the kind of song that takes you back to the early 2000s, with vibes that echo the infectious energy of Bright Eyes and the emotional depth of Vampire Weekend. It’s familiar, yet there’s something fresh about it—something that pulls you in and keeps you listening.
Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden is a seamless blend of upbeat, beachy electronic sounds and rock, all tied together with lyrics that feel both sweet and sincere. The way Valley uses violins and pianos is masterful, adding layers of emotion that make the album feel almost cinematic—reminiscent of the lush arrangements you might find in a Vampire Weekend song. On “Let it Rain,” the piano echoes like raindrops, creating a beautiful, calming moment in the middle of all the energy, much like the introspective moments you’d expect from a Bright Eyes track.
Nostalgia is a big theme throughout the album, with tracks like “Nothing Was the Same” and “Life Goes On Without Me” reminding us that life keeps moving, no matter where we are. These songs hit hard, but they also offer a kind of comfort—a reminder that it’s okay to grow and change. There’s a Springsteen-like sense of resilience woven through these tracks, giving them an anthemic quality that makes you want to sing along.
Working with COIN’s Chase Lawrence in an isolated cabin in the Smoky Mountains, Valley has created an album that isn’t just about going back to basics—it’s about reimagining who they are as a band. Fans are in for a real treat with this one, as they get to experience Valley like never before—refreshed, deeper, and more connected to their music than ever. The album’s ability to channel iconic indie influences while maintaining a sound that is distinctly their own, is what makes Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden so special.
In the end, Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden feels like a journey, with Valley guiding us through the past and the future all at once. It’s an album that’s well worth the listen, whether you’ve been with them from the beginning or you’re just discovering their music now. Valley has truly outdone themselves, and this album is a garden that’s blooming with potential.
Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden is out now.
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