Will Wood is an independent songwriter and multimedia artist, who also runs a band called Will Wood and the Tapeworms. Recently I’ve noticed an increase in his fan base across the internet, but I personally think he’s still pretty under-appreciated. I think the reason he’s not super popular is that he doesn’t really have a set genre for music, and a lot of people can’t really label him with something specific. I’ve seen people call him a mix of folk, pop, jazz, rock and roll, contemporary blues, and also “insanity jazz”. His music is very energetic and loud, but also more pop-like as if he just thinks of something and throws it together, but in his own style. Though his music is really good, I definitely don’t think it’s for everyone, but there are still some other simpler songs to enjoy.

  For example, The Normal Album, under the name Will Wood, still has his iconic lyrics about deeper meanings, alternate realities, and opening your third eye, all while staying more into pop. This album is his most recent, and he’s put on a more clean style, just wearing normal, slick suits. Songs like I / Me / Myself and …Well, Better Than The Alternative are examples of popular songs that just have an obvious meaning that is easy to listen to. Other songs like Suburbia Overture / Greetings from Mary Bell Township! / Culture / Love Me, Normally and 2econd-2ight-2 eer (that was fun, goodbye) include an old-style swing and jazz mixed with pop, which is very enjoyable to listen to.

  His album SELF-iSH, under the band name Will Wood and the Tapeworms, is a lot more harsh and loud compared to The Normal Album, and it almost tells a story about forgetting oneself and becoming a god. The general meaning behind this album is that he’s only concerned about himself without regard to anyone else, as seen mostly in the lyrics of Cotard’s Solution (Anatta, Dukkha, Anicca) and Mr. Capgras Encounters a Secondhand Vanity. During this era of Will Wood’s career, he used lots of bright flashy and neon colors, dancing skeletons, and did concerts wearing suits covered in eyeball drawings, while also having drawn a third eye on his forehead with blacklight markers. 

   He has a diverse assortment of songs and is soon going to come out with a new album called Incase I Make It, which he says will feature a lot of emotional and raw music. His most recent song Your Body, My Temple shows a bit of a sneak peeks of what’s coming up next in the following months. To me, Will Wood is my favorite artist of all time, and I can’t wait to see what he’s going to come out with in the future. I hope other people can listen to and enjoy his music, and even if you don’t it’s ok. I said before that I don’t think his music is for everyone, but I do think there might be something out there to enjoy.