Bend Beyond

Released in 2012, Bend Beyond marks a pivotal moment in the discography of Woods, serving as their seventh studio album and the final record to feature bassist Kevin Morby before his solo career took flight. While earlier Woods releases were often defined by their lo-fi insularity and experimental tape loops (courtesy of G. Lucas Crane), Bend Beyond represents a shift toward higher production values and more traditional song structures. Critics from Pitchfork and AllMusic noted this 'sharpening of focus,' praising the band for allowing their melodic sensibilities to take center stage without sacrificing their psychedelic DNA. The album is anchored by the title track, which showcases the band's ability to pivot from a catchy folk-pop hook into a motorik, fuzz-drenched jam. This record solidified Woods' reputation as leaders of the Brooklyn-based Woodsist scene, blending pastoral aesthetics with urban indie rock sensibilities.