Seattle-based trio Map of the Woulds immerse on “Only For Today,” a psychedelic rock single centered on the impermanence of life and the challenge of making sense of it. Formed in 2019 by longtime local musicians Woody Frank, Andrew Woods, and Adrian Woods, the group embraces an open-ended creative philosophy, moving between angular rock, dark jazz, eccentric funk, and pop-minded melody. Their knack for making unconventional ideas feel immediate comes through in a song that balances philosophical reflection with expressive guitar work.
Heartfelt guitar twangs and steady, jangling undercurrents open the track with a moody, atmospheric allure. “We built our house upon the sand, with these hands, watched it crumble before it ever could stand,” the delivery emerges thereafter, wasting no time establishing themes of temporary “moments in the sun” — in turn exuding a carpe-diem appeal, in striving to treasure the good times while they’re here. The recognition of impermanence, whether in positive times or passing thoughts, is conveyed artfully within the range of expressive lead performances and memorable harmonic accents.
A fantastic guitar solo emerges around the track’s midpoint, lending a strongly emotional, psychedelic quality. Added backing layers in the subsequent “only for today” line consume, then capped off by gorgeous free-flowing guitar work and fervent harmonic soaring. The lead dynamics are excellent throughout, from suave introspection to the concluding ardor, and interplay wonderfully with melodic guitars and lyrical musings on impermanence. “Only For Today” is another surefire success from Map of the Woulds, who first caught our ears earlier this year with ultra-hooky single “GTFO.”
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
