Music has the power to help and to heal. That isn’t just a cliche, some sort of hippy sentiment, it’s true. Sometimes, it can take the form of therapy, a sonic environment to surround yourself with, cocooning, and gently impactful. Sometimes, it can be about coming across an artist who tells you that you are not alone, whatever you are going through. Mac Wood is undoubtedly one of the latter artists.
“The Times” is, on the surface, at least, just another pop-infused, indie-rock song. It’s a great one, reminiscent of the early 2000s indie boom, but also totally in step with the sound of the here and now. It is full of infectious riffs and instant grooves, full of energy, and runs on driving beats. It is a great-sounding song, and that would be enough for most people. Mac Wood isn’t most people.
For whilst there is plenty of energy in the song itself, there is also much empathy in the lyrics. Never one to shy away from using his music to discuss his own challenges, “The Time” is one of those songs that reminds us that we all have demons to face and problems to navigate. Life, modern life, in particular, is hard, but perhaps just knowing that you are not alone, that you are one of the majority, and that there is safety in numbers and sanctuary to be found in music, helps.
Sometimes, all you need is someone to come along and say, “I know what you are going through, but don’t worry, you’ll get there,” and the world seems less hopeless and more optimistic. “The Times” is that in sonic form.
