Equating the removal of wisdom teeth with the removal of people from your life, this introspective single builds to a euphoric chorus with astonishing vocals and gritty guitars.

Photo: Jerry Maestas

Known for her pop culture references and witty lyricism, Wallice is a 23-year-old LA-based artist and musician who, late last year, initially grabbed attention with her lo-fi single Punching Bag. Following the release of this relatable anthem, her bold single 23 and her humorous hit Hey Michael, Wallice garnered support from stations and tastemakers such as BBC Radio 1, Pigeons & Planes, The FADER, triple j and Vogue. Despite her very recent successes, Wallice has been composing music since middle school, where she played an array of instruments in the school band and soundtracked her educational experience to the likes of Weezer, Lana Del Rey, Radiohead and Black Eyed Peas.

Having newly signed to the renowned independent label Dirty Hit – which boasts other incredible artists such as The 1975, Rina Sawayama and Beabadoobee – Wallice marks the occasion with her latest single Wisdom Tooth. Produced with her good friend and musical collaborator marinelli, Wisdom Tooth is a coming-of-age single which, through the memorable milestone of losing your wisdom teeth, metaphorically explores the loss of friendships and relationships. With unapologetic transparency, Wallice sings “you’re like a wisdom tooth, I wish that I got rid of you” in the track’s captivating chorus.

Wallice explains:

I wrote this song in a session with my long-time collaborator and best friend marinelli the day before I got my wisdom teeth out. The doctor had just called to say that I’d also need a bone graft to fill in the space in my jaw where the tooth used to be. It really shook me up and there was no way we could write a different song after that. Getting your wisdom teeth out is an event that many people have to go through, it’s a physical sign of growing up. In the song ‘Wisdom Tooth’, I conflate this experience to getting rid of a person in your life as a milestone of growing up too. It shows that sometimes people can grow apart and though it can be hard, it might be better to leave a relationship or friendship rather than keep on trying to make it work. It also talks about how there are little reminders in your life that can bring you back to that person mentally, even though you have moved on.