WHY? returns with their latest single, “G-dzillah G’dolah,” a minimalist yet lush ballad from their forthcoming album *The Well I Fell Into*, set to release on August 2nd via Waterlines. The track kicks off with a twinkling prepared piano and upright bass, eventually swelling with a stirring string section. Accompanying the single is a Scott Fredette-directed video that captures the band’s live show in an immersive and surreal light. Fredette shared that the XR program at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, played a crucial role in creating the thematically relevant content displayed in the video.
Yoni Wolf of WHY? delves into the song’s meaning, describing it as a moment of doubt amidst doubt. The narrative follows a man on a flight to reunite with his love, feeling small and overwhelmed by the prospect. He has built her up in his mind as a towering monster of affection, a “G-dzillah G’dolah,” and despite his assurances to make things right, he feels the past slipping away. The song, spoken from thirty thousand feet up, leaves listeners without resolution, reflecting the man’s anxiety and anticipation.
“**G’dzillah G’Dolah**” follows the album’s lead single, “The Letters, etc.,” which received praise from Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan, and Paste, among others. WHY? will support the album with an extensive North American tour, including performances at NYC’s Bowery Ballroom on August 23rd and LA’s Lodge Room on September 14th.
*The Well I Fell Into* represents Wolf at his most cohesive and poignant, an autopsy of heartbreak that trades bitterness for healing. Self-released on Waterlines, Wolf’s new label, the album’s 14 tracks are some of the band’s prettiest and most immediate work. Recorded with Brian Joseph at Eau Claire’s Hive Studio, the album features compelling and accessible arrangements that enhance the strong hooks grounding the songs. Wolf enlisted collaborators like Gia Margaret, Macie Stewart of Finom, Lillie West of Lala Lala, Serengeti, and Ada Lea to flesh out the recordings.
*The Well I Fell Into* is ultimately a hopeful record, tackling messy emotions with lucid candor and grace. It avoids external villains and wallowing, instead offering a frank dissection of the past and a commitment to moving forward. This album stands near the top of the WHY? catalog as a testament to an artist finding peace.
1 Comment
I am glad.