Local Review: What Goes – What Goes

What Goes
What Goes
Self-released
Street: 12.05.2025
What Goes = Tame Impala + Mac DeMarco + The Cure + Finn Wolfhard 

Six beautiful songs were made last winter by What Goes, the stage name of musical artist Wyatt Downs. As soon as I discovered What Goes, their self-titled debut album, I noticed the intricate details of the album cover: an electric chord organ in a special shade of pink, and wonderful stars surrounding it. I wonder if Downs designed that too, or what talent was behind such intricate art. I’m under the impression Downs is into graphic design as this artist profile photo is similarly surrounded with immense creative detail.

Once I clicked play on the first song, “Something Good,” I was immediately impressed by the instrumentation – its vintage, the artist’s voice ever flowing; the story immediately gives me the impression that it is all about love. What Goes does not want to be around this lover; for what reason, I don’t know. As the song goes on, it becomes increasingly hard to hear as the artist’s voice camouflages with the instrumental. It almost feels purposeful, leaving mystery to the story but sharing just enough for the listener to connect and relate to it. Ultimately, I believe that it is about a love that was not good for them, a love they would describe as “not wanting to partake in”.

The second song of the debut rolls through: “Angel Eye.” It is immediately angelic, but contrastingly, the electric beat starts a few tones lower and feels comparable to “I Need Some Sleep” by Eels – a sadder, indie take.

Throughout this album there is a clear 70s or 80s beat. In “Go Home,” I can hear What Goes’ voice more clearly – it’s about a girl and how she’s all What Goes has ever wanted. As the album goes on, I learn that What Goes is in love with a girl, or at least they once were. Maybe then, not only are the lyrics about her, but somehow the beat reminds What Goes of her, too. It ends with an organ – perhaps the organ from the album cover?

During “In This Way,” the music begins with a sound almost like a Christmasy Radiohead melody. The scene is set with leaves falling in a cemetery, a memory with her, and all the while What Goes dreams about it while they sleep. What Goes seems to be grieving this relationship. Someone may listen to this song and think of a loved one who has passed because of how emotionally gripping it is.

The last song of the debut, “Rocket,” sets the scene with crickets and then quickly disrupts the mood, kickstarting the music. What is clear throughout this album, and especially in songs like “Angel Eye” and “In This Way “ is perhaps that she is a dead lover or someone left in the past of What Goes’ life. I recommend What Goes to any age demographic, to people of any music preference, to enjoy. Go check out What Goes, whether your story relates to this one layered in love and loss, or if you simply have a love for good music. — Morgan Hillam

Read more music reviews by Morgan Hillam: 
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