What a Wonderful Industry

Released as a surprise in June 2018, What a Wonderful Industry represents a thematic pivot for M. Ward. While his previous work often leaned into romanticism and nostalgic Americana, this self-produced 12-track set is a conceptual look at the music business itself. The album features guest appearances from Jim James and others, yet it remains a deeply personal and idiosyncratic work. Sonically, it continues Ward's devotion to analog recording techniques, utilizing tape saturation and vintage textures to create a 'timeless' sound that avoids modern digital sheen. Critics noted the album's sharper lyrical edge, contrasting his gentle 'sandpaper' vocal delivery with satirical observations on fame and industry archetypes. It stands as one of the most direct and unvarnished entries in his discography, stripping away some of the orchestral flourishes of his earlier 2010s work in favor of a leaner, guitar-driven art-rock approach.