wantedmissingfound - Putting Down the Dog

​wantedmissingfound

Putting Down the Dog
self-released; 2026

​​By Dino DiMuro​

wantedmissingfound is a cleverly named musical project, particularly when paired with the title of its debut EP, Putting Down the Dog.
Turns out the title is to be taken literally! The artist notes say the album "is a deeply personal solo release shaped by five years of instability, declining health and strained family relationships. The project began with the loss of the artist’s dog, an event that became the starting point for a much larger period of upheaval. 'Putting Down the Dog' attempts to capture both the despair and occasional joy that can exist while everything around you seems to be falling apart."

Calling an album "trippy" has fallen out of favor, which is unfortunate because this collection definitely took me several somewheres! The video game-like keys, the stark yet unexpected melodies and the artistic use of noise and space all gave me auditory whiplash. Listening to the music is one of the few times I've noticed distortion having a tonality like playing a keyboard! I can't think of many artists who combine these elements in quite this manner (which is why I won't list any). Minimalist, LoFi, ambient-experimental and even synth pop are all represented here.

"Nature is Law" is the opening instrumental and a great example of the "tuned distortion" I was referring to. It starts with roiling clouds of video game-like noise, then slides into a surprisingly fulsome melody backed by aggressive drum beats. My visual image is that somehow a full company of firetrucks was able to jam among themselves with sirens and horns while bouncing along the boulevard. There's a final surprise as the track ends with quietly picked acoustic guitar.

"Low" is the featured track on Bandcamp, so I've heard it more than the others, and it's one of the best songs (so, good call!). You may recall the David Bowie album by the same name, and the distance between David's German experimental period and this music ain't far. The lyrics are basic and short: "I've been feeling low / My healing's been too slow," over which Hynes purposely creates a happy-sounding keyboard riff, like a bunch of kids on Playskool toys.

"I Drive My Car" has a thick orchestral quality, like the banks of keys are standing in for a full string section. The vocals have been processed to sound alien and are just variations on the title. I think I get where they are going here: when you're truly depressed, sometimes you do things just to do them, while making yourself aware that you are doing them. "Last Year" gets to the heart of the matter, sadly reflecting on having to "put down the dog / Crying at the vet / Didn't even happen yet." It's got an interesting chamber arrangement and heartbroken yet matter-of-fact vocals, and runs well under two minutes.

"Unknown Blood" is another jagged, chugging electronic interlude whose melodies seem to get stronger by the end. "The Whale" is similar but puts the lead melody up front, with a sound like a beached serpent crying out for lost family. The unexpected use of silence at the end is quite effective. "Coming of Age" features slowly building cycles of what sound like ethereal washing machines.

"Creature's Lullaby" shakes off all the machine-like rhythms of the previous tracks for a stark, intimate lullaby that could be taken as a farewell to an animal companion or an attempt at self-hypnosis. The instrumentation is totally minimal, with just a bass melody, some light keys and a constant halo of phasing noise.

​As someone who is even now facing the loss of a pet friend, I nonetheless found this EP to be interesting and uplifting (and a little sad), and can heartily recommend it.

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