Track listing: Ophiuchus, I Deserve to be Forgiven, Rules of War, Dream Song, Crooked Roads, Ascetic Sleep Song No 4, Sphere Shift, Rushing Back, One Million Children, Last King of the Blues, Forgive Yourself, Winter Comes For Mary, Invocation

November 30, 2025 rang in a yearlong journey for Nashville singer/songwriter Afton Wolfe. Embarking in December of 2024, Wolfe released a single each month leading up to the eventual drop of his second full-length album Ophiuchus, A Trainspotting Guide to the Galaxy. Say all you want about the study of Astrology--society sees it as everything from an unwavering spiritual science to the playful exchange of friends' horoscopes to see if you're in for a good or bad day today. But in the context of Ophiuchus, Wolfe channels the stars and their meanings into 13 songs of undeniable conviction and emotion. Accompanying each track is a beautiful illustration of its 'sign', courtesy of fellow Nashvillian Cora Lee.

Where to begin but the beginning? Ophiuchus' title track unleashes itself with a power of destruction, and healing. Wolfe explains "The Sun goes through 13 constellations from our Zenith, and 12 of those have myths associated with them... Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer, has been associated vaguely with the serpent and with medicine. The medicine man has the power of the serpent – to heal or destroy, depending on how he chooses to use the venom. That dilemma inspired me to imagine that character and his mythos...[and] this Song." To say the album begins ominous and heavy is an understatement. "Ophiuchus" states its case from its first explosion out of the speakers.

From there, we're taken on a dazzling excursion through time, the qualities (and faults) of humanity, and a display of musicality that simply delights. "I Deserve To Be Forgiven" represents Scorpio in the style of an ol' Waylon ballad. "Rules of War" (and its accompanying video) is the Libra--a Tango ode to the warmongers and their endless thirst to keep war ongoing.

Track by track, sign by sign, Afton reflects on and explores the meaning, symbology, and provocative nature behind the Zodiac constellations, put through the filter of his inner poet and songwriter. Cancer is represented by "Ascetic Sleep Song No. 4," described as a song about "Depression...[which] tells its victims lies and steals their dreams, turning aspirations into anxiety and gratitude into guilt."

"I’m trying to cast a complex Magic spell, the purpose of which is not fully known to me." - Afton Wolfe

"One Million Children" (Aries) touches on the most innocent victims of war--"children who didn’t have any say in the fact that there is a war going on, killing them and their families. These children are dehumanized and punished for the crime of being born on the wrong end of the missiles." Wolfe's connection with family, humanity, and a sense of right from wrong pervades throughout Ophiuchus. Not 'perfection,' mind you... "Forgive Yourself" (Aquarius) is all about imperfection, in fact. We all fuck up. We all make decisions we regret in hindsight. But in order to move forward and become better, we must treat ourselves with grace and forgiveness.

"Winter Comes for Mary" (Capricorn) is the pinnacle of the album's focus on human decency. Wolfe penned an article for The Nashvillian in remembrance of one Mary Sack, a friend he places benevolently in the "category of Gone Far Too Soon." Her diligence in starting and continuing the annual Get Behind the Mule Tribute to Tom Waits and Benefit for Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee had a profound impact on Wolfe. He writes "I sincerely believe that the people who come into your life — the ones who genuinely make an impact and connection — have always been near you."

Appropriately, Ophiuchus ends with "Invocation" (Sagittarius). Its instrumentation is broad and varied, it "intentionally enlists a wide range of instruments to create an “ocean” of Musical vibrations." A moment of solace, reflection, and meditation at the culmination of an album that took a full year to properly release to the world.

Take a moment to fully take-in Ophiuchus and Afton Wolfe's complete discography. Your journey into this album, the rest of Wolfe's music, videos, tour dates and news embarks from aftonwolfe.com/ophiuchus.

And be sure to checkout Episode #41 of In The Chair With... none other than Afton Wolfe. He's a great storyteller and our visit was one of my more enjoyable.