What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and “a severe health scare” for WHY?’s main man, Yoni Wolf, morphed into pure sonic delight, with a classic Wolf twist. ‘Proactive Evolution’ is the outfit’s second single in anticipation of their upcoming sixth album, ‘Moh Lhean‘, out this March on Joyful Noise.
Ushered in by psychedelic folk flourishes, succeeded by undulating percussion and a tingling guitar hook, this is the tale of a man who was temporarily broken, but who won’t back down. With warm keys underscoring Wolf’s half-sung, half-spoken delivery, ‘Proactive Evolution’ is a vehicle for this “fresco angel”s existential, dry-witted poetry – sealed with lines sampled straight out of Wolf’s doctors. Part heady inner monologue, part pragmatic statement; it comes with a sunny pop chorus of voices ultimately clinging on to that spirit of optimism through tough times. It certainly summons the spirit of The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, nailing an updated take on his fluttering, effortlessly euphoric arrangements.
The song validates the notion that the album, largely recorded in Wolf’s home studio, also bearing the name ‘Moh Lhean‘, was worth the wait. Well, it’s been almost five years since WHY?’s last full-length ‘Mumps, Etc.‘… but, as Wolf is quick to assert in the song’s refrain, “I’m on fire…Yeah, I’m on right now”.
