WOULD, initially planned as a side project and initially described as PALILA’s little, introverted brother, continues to evolve, and Matthias Schwettmann is expanding not only his musical universe but also the band’s lineup—but more on that later. The fact is that, by local standards, he simply writes an incredible number of great songs that are just waiting to be released. What began in 2023 with the EP “Be Okay” and was essentially propelled to the top with four albums in two years now culminates in his fifth album, “Need A New Old Friend,” for which he has actually taken a bit more time than usual.
Schwettmann explains it as follows:
“‘Need A New Old Friend’ is an album that took shape over several months during a difficult phase. The songs take their time, stay true to their moods, and tell us more about nuances than about resolution. The lyrics carry much more weight this time—not as a concept, but as a mirror: thoughts you can’t shake off, and lines that only really hit home on the second, third, or fourth listen.”
Musically, Would moves between indie/folk and the open, earthy sound that Neil Young defined in the ’70s—with the raw intimacy of Jason Molina and the quiet precision of Elliott Smith. And when it gets louder in some places, it’s not to seem bigger, but because that’s exactly how it has to be in that moment.
At the center are “Two & Two” and “Never”—two songs that capture much of the album’s underlying tone. “Vouch” and “Around The World” are released as singles; the latter speaks of wanderlust and the current state of affairs: a job, a broken-down car, no big plans. The mind wanders into the distance—and finally lands on the artwork, where a stray dog looks back against the backdrop of the Cordillera Blanca. Need a new old friend.
Live, Would is now a band: Sebastian Windhorst (lap steel / electric guitar), Manfred Stenzel (drums), Christoph Kirchner (bass / backing vocals), Felix Grigat (electric piano) and Matthias Schwettmann (vocals, acoustic guitar).
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)