by Will Yarbrough (@willyarbrough15)
By nature, indie rock is allergic to its own success. Heck, even Wishy were cautious enough to harness their hopes. Having run in similar circles around Indianapolis since high school, founding members Kevin Krauter and Nina Pitchkites just wanted to play loud and have more fun outside of their respective solo careers. So of course, Wishy hit the jackpot when the band's first full-length spin for Winspear landed in The New York Times. Now that they've risen to late-night stardom, the stakes are raised for album number two. It's too safe at times, but by taking enough gambles, Nature's Pill provides immediate and endless rewards.
Wishy are wise to double down on their new record. The band aren't specialists in one particular field of indie rock, but with three skilled technicians, guitars are their biggest strength and they've only gotten stronger after consistent reps on the road. Though suffering through a laughably bad case of the breakup blues, "All The Rage" opens the album like it's the last day of school. Dimitri Morris' bratty power-pop chords bounce off the walls as Krauter and Pitchkites refuse to entertain any responsibilities. "So fuck doing the dishes / Fuck these clothes on my floor / I don't care anymore now that you're gone".
Much like recent tourmates The Beths and Beach Bunny, Wishy are a welcome reminder of why guitars ruled the airwaves well before Gen Z realized rock is cool. "Lovesick" treats regrets over wasted youth and questionable hair choices with a mix of jangle pop and grunge that's clinically proven by Billboard to go down smooth. Just don't lump this band in with all the generic shoegaze that's clogging my promo bin. The label didn't quite fit before, but they've completely outgrown it now that Nature's Pill is practically bursting with infectious choruses. While swooning over a hot new crush, "Covergirl" doesn't blush so much as strut to an easy, breezy, beautiful lead that could've been modeled after Third Eye Blind.
If Nature's Pill has a defect, it only appears when Wishy stick to the script for too long. Practically every song achieves its intended result. It's just that not all of them are "Sensational," which benefits from Conner Host's acid house drumming and the grooviness of bassist Mitch Collins. By taking too many precautions, the surprisingly straightforward "Headscratcher" and dull "Blitz" counteract the album's therapeutic properties. Which is a real shame. Despite its persistence, which has the potential to become irksome, we could all use some of its rah-rah energy in our media diet.
When Wishy take their own advice, Nature's Pill really works wonders. Following the experimental trajectory of last year's Planet Popstar EP, "Kiss Kiss Kiss" is a match made in dream pop heaven. "I love it, I want it," Krauter and Pitchkites chant like they're savoring the moment when "Shift" dissolves into pure sugary melodic goodness. With another heater of an album, the band's next start turn can't come soon enough.