Momentum has never left Ben Quad. Prior to their sparkling 2022 debut I’m Scared That’s All There Is, the Oklahoma 4 piece released a variety of singles, splits and EP’s: all humming with exuberant, breathless energy. Now arriving with their second full length album Wisher, their first for Pure Noise Records, the band has synthesized the sounds from their previous output into a thoughtful, melodically forward achievement.

The band followed up I’m Scared That’s All There Is almost immediately with their single “You’re Part of It”. The instrumental intro begins with layered tapping from the two guitarists, able to evoke some of the freneticism of the record that preceded it. Halfway through, the music switches to a simpler lead melody-and-chord pattern which ushers in the harsh, emotionally charged vocals. While not absent on their debut, the strained, gravelly vocals and driving guitar showed a clear affinity for early-mid 2000’s emo and post-hardcore. This continued on their excellent 2024 EP Ephemera which redirected some of their previous instrumental flair into cathartic shout alongs. The convincing 2000’s influence and knack for ear twisting riffs meld into a surprisingly compact and satisfying combination on Wisher.

Most striking on the record is the focus on melody, particularly in the softer moments. First half of first track “What Fer?” is guided by a plucked banjo with the guitars and bass gently swirling around as a supplement to the main instrument without stifling the folkiness it brings. Vocalists Sam Wegrzynski and Henry Shields barely get above a whisper and the vocal layering creates a warm reflectiveness that produces a comforting mood. Later, on “All Your Luck”, the gentle vocals emphasize the lyrical tenderness and even add smaller hooks throughout the verses. The brief pause in “every second I spend with you is like I’m living in a..painted world” is the kind of attention to melodic detail that is incredibly effective in drawing in the listener. The vocalists gesture towards falsetto in this track and achieve it in the chorus of “Classic Case of Guy on the Ground”. This airiness adds a pop sensibility that, along with the background coo’s, gives anthemic quality to the chorus.

The soft ether is only half the story of “What Fer?”. The track soon opens up into a full band instrumental that slowly builds in volume and intensity. This leads right into second track ”Painless” which, like second to last track “West of West”, confronts grief and loss in an earnest and vulnerable fashion. “Painless” picks up with an incredibly catchy riff that makes way for Henry Shields and drummer Isaac Young’s rhythm section. The track thrashes through longing and regret with the kind of force seen on the band’s Ephemera EP. In “West of West” the thicker bass tone, and slightly more muddled production in the first verse give a feeling of static until the track releases with the screamed “But I’m my father’s son”. Despite the heaviness of the track, Ben Quad work in an instrumental refrain that adds bounciness before the appearance from Microwave’s Nathan Hardy. While the development in songwriting is clear throughout the record, the band continues to find moments to throw back to their original sound. Single “It’s Just a Title” would sound right at home on I’m Scared That’s All There Is with the bouncy, noodly riffing throughout the track. A welcome addition to this and the next track ”Very Big in Sheboygan” is the bright Motion City Soundtrack-esque synths that pull in the playful, youthful energy the band has been known for.

On Wisher, Ben Quad effectively synthesize their strengths from their previous releases with some new influences to create a familiar but original record. The band maintains their sharp instrumentalism and youthful energy and add a stronger melodic sense and more direct vulnerability, making it their strongest release to date. This with the momentum from their previous releases show Ben Quad haven’t missed a beat.

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