Why? (styled as WHY?) is an American alternative hip hop and indie rock band. The band was founded in 2004 by Cincinnati rapper and singer Yoni Wolf, who had been using Why? as his stage name since 1997. In addition to Wolf, who serves as lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, the band consists of multi-instrumentalists and backing vocalists Doug McDiarmid and Andrew Broder, and drummer and backing vocalist Josiah Wolf, who is Yoni Wolf’s older brother. WHY? Release their new album `The Well I Fell Into` this month, their eighth which charts a devastating break-up.
`Lauderdale Detour` is a brief slightly orchestrated intro which bleeds into `Marigold` which has a kind of enticing melancholia about it. The vibrant colours of marigold flowers are thought to evoke feelings of warmth and affection, and this still seems to ring true on this introspective musing of a broken marriage.
`Brand New` is another reflective consideration on where to go after a relationship has been fragmented. There are some delightful piano keys and brushed drum strokes on this quite expansive contemplation. Tinkling piano keys lead us into `G-dzillah G’dolah` which has a gentle pensive feel with vocals that are quietly shared and sound a little breathless. The use of the Japanese monster may be a metaphor for the destruction caused in the relationship breakup.
`When We Do The Dance` is a slight curveball with a kind of synth sound platform with a spoken word segment shared atop prior to a short melodic rapped reflective section. There`s a mournful vibe to `Jump` which is a shuffling slow burn with an almost steam of consciousness about needing motivation relayed above.
`Later at The Loon` has a kind of late-night jazzy vibe and relays a meal where both participants probably realise the end if nigh, relationship wise. I thought `Nis(s)an Dreams, Pt. 1` was a little out there lyrically but the aural accompaniment at times felt almost gospel like.
`The Letters, Etc.` is a tender echo on a love lost and happier times with some lowkey orchestrated strings, keys, vocal harmonies, and alluring hand percussion. It takes on a folkier vibe in the last sixty seconds or so. Flute tones lead us into `What’s Me?` which has a soft shimmer about it with lyrics that I found a little surreal.
`Sin Imperial` is initially pretty stripped back or stark with lyrics that seem to be pleading and offer a positive appraisal of the narrator`s charms. It then takes off in a synthy dance like atmosphere and flits between both styles as it evolves and closes. We have a more pictorial or observational offering in `Atreyu` which can either mean `raised by all` or `fearless` but doesn`t seem to equate to either, with regards to this tranquil rolling ambling submission.
`Versa Go!` is a brooding slow burn that takes a shift in direction at about the halfway mark and speeds up. Versa meaning a change or alteration may be at the heart of what’s required for the relator on this meditative piece. The album closes with `Sending Out a Pamphlet` which appears to be tale of somebody who is looking for love or a new relationship. It has a dreamy jazz like texture.
`The Well I Fell Into` is a fairly absorbing listen as long as you`re prepared to embrace it. Yoni availed himself of a cast of collaborators to flesh out these recordings, including Gia Margaret, Finom’s Macie Stewart, Lala Lala’s Lillie West, Serengeti, and Ada Lea.
Some of the tracks here are pretty overwhelming and the subject matter can be a little challenging to listen to, but it does have its rewards. I`m sure this release was as therapeutic as cathartic for the artist to create and deliver.
This was my initiation into the delights of WHY?, and with seven previous releases, I now have further music to explore.
Rating 8.5/10
