The Lower 48’s debut studio album, Where All Maps End, is a cathartic creation featuring peaceful folk songs and simple arrangements. It is a beautiful representation of both hope and dejection. Each of the ten tracks is dripping with the raw emotions associated with youth, love, and finding one’s place in the world.
The first track, ironically titled “The End,” contains the honest sounds of an acoustic guitar and tambourine. With youthful vocals and a harsh drumbeat, the song is perhaps the album’s most optimistic recording. Its lyrics speak of accepting change and moving forward, providing the perfect opening to a CD centered on the ideas of growth and maturity.
Scattered throughout Where All Maps End are three disparate interludes. “Interlude I” is eerie with shrilling vocals and mysterious guitar sounds, conveying the feeling of loss and despair. In contrast, “Interlude II (Nepal)” has a distorted melody and sounds significantly more hopeful. It is catchy, energetic, and melodic. However, the most distinct interlude is undoubtedly the third. It is placid, tranquil, and stripped of all vocals. It includes only the melancholy sounds of a piano and violin. “Interlude III” is soft, relaxing, and overwhelmingly moving, which happens to be the album’s three strongest characteristics.
Perhaps the CD’s catchiest track is “Traveling Tune.” The song is slow-paced, perfectly capturing the monotony and impatience that one experiences on a long voyage or journey. Its repetitive lyrics and rhythm makes it fit to sing on those seemingly never-ending road trips.
Overall, Where All Maps End is a serene, uncomplicated album. Its tell-all nature provides a personal insight into life’s biggest lessons. Additionally, its pleasant melodies and relatable lyrics make it recommendable for anyone.
In A Word: Tranquil
