The Wind-Ups, spearheaded by frontman Jake Sprecher, return with their third album, ‘Confection,’ a blistering eleven-track record that masterfully fuses lo-fi punk energy with sweet, irresistible pop sensibilities. This Northern California outfit’s latest offering, recorded to tape by Sprecher, is a high-energy, raw, and delightfully demented listening experience that stands as an intellectual and sonic descendant of the Ramones and The Reatards, with a flutter of the Beach Boys’ saccharine hooks.
The album immediately establishes its aggressive yet bubblegum aesthetic with the lead-off track, “A Fine Pink Mist.” Its anxious, snarling drive and fuzz recall the primitive ferocity of early Marked Men. This tone is quickly cemented: the production is characterized by a combination of noise and fuzz suggesting a chaotic blend akin to Black Tambourine’s Ramones covers, all underpinned by a panic-inducing backbeat. The overall effect results in a sound that is boisterous and wonderfully demented.
While the record leans heavily on its aggressive, low-fidelity punk foundations—baking the energy and non-existent production style of early garage/punk bands—it also allows for moments of genuine tenderness. Tracks like the saccharine sing-alongs “(That’s Just My) Dream Girl” and “To Keep Away” showcase a softer, more sensitive leaning into power pop reminiscent of their Ramones-core influences.
Photo courtesy of Dandy Boy Records
However, the album’s emotional and structural core is the midtempo spoken word duet, “Cheer Up” (co-performed and written by Kerra Jessen). This standout track, a sincere love letter to those riddled with self-doubt and exhaustion, radiates a genuine solemnity that defines the very nature of The Wind-Ups.
The record closes on a significant and unexpected note with “Little Boy Blue,” featuring a rare electric guitar appearance from legendary figure Jonathan Richman on the outro. This track, quietly released in 2023 and now available on vinyl, maintains a melancholic force that provides a fittingly sentimental and slightly dejected conclusion to the pop-punk confection.
Ultimately, Confection is an addictive, high-octane record that successfully melds snarling, distorted guitars with sweetly addictive pop hooks. It is a work of sentimental syrup and unapologetic lo-fi energy, presenting a cohesive vision of power pop played at a dizzying pace.
To have a listen or to purchase, please venture over to Dandy Boy Records.
