Keith Wallen begins 2026 with “A Thin Line,” a restrained and emotionally direct new single that places songwriting and vocal presence front and center. Built around gentle acoustic strumming and space to breathe, the track recalls the alt-rock power ballads of the late ’90s, where impact comes from clarity rather than excess. The response has been notably positive, highlighting the song’s quiet weight and the confidence of its simplicity.
“The duality of outcomes from the choices we make could mean the difference between our personal heaven or hell, war or peace, or even life or death,” Wallen says of the song’s meaning. “A Thin Line” follows a steady run of releases over the past year, including “Us Against the World,” “Dead Inside,” a stripped-down cover of Avril Lavigne’s “I’m With You,” and the collaboration “TEETH MARKS” with GORE. vocalist Haley Roughton. Together, the songs underline Wallen’s range and his comfort moving between intimacy and anthem-sized emotion.
Best known as the guitarist for Breaking Benjamin, Wallen is also a prolific collaborator and solo artist whose writing bridges pop instinct and hard rock grit. His solo catalog pulls from ’80s new wave influences like The Police and Depeche Mode alongside the darker textures of ’90s grunge, while his co-writing credits span Saint Asonia, Fuel, We Came As Romans, and Love And Death. Whether onstage with Breaking Benjamin or carving his own path, Wallen’s work is united by honesty, melodic strength, and a clear emotional core.