Indianapolis, Indiana, has a vital music scene that deserves more attention, but so far, Wishy is one of the few bands to gain some notoriety outside of their hometown. Their hazy-but-energetic indie pop is impossible to resist. They join bands like Momma and Hotline TNT in transcending the 1990s worship of touchstone bands, writing songs that sound fresh and instantly memorable. Co-singer-songwriters Kevin Krauter and Nina Pitchkites set the band apart with their seemingly endless well of hooks that surprise and delight across these 12 tracks. Nature’s Pill is their second full-length, and it’s more a sophomore triumph than a slump.
“All the Rage” kicks off the record with energy. Krauter and Pitchkites trade vocals on verses, and their harmonies on the chorus lift the song to a state of bliss, despite the darkly funny lyrics. It is a perfect opener, signaling to fans that they will stretch a little while keeping the elements that make the band sound so irresistible. It sounds like the sun beaming through a window, beckoning you outside.
“Covergirl” is awash in Siamese Dream-leaning guitars and provides Pitchkites a moment to shine. “Shift” is one of those tracks with a disarming [pun intended] riff and a sugar rush. “Freak 99” nods to the Smashing Pumpkins classic “1979” before Krauter and Pitchkites sing the verses in a disaffected cool that gives way to a prickly chorus. What makes this so successful is that rather than recreating the pop bliss the Pumpkins frequently delivered, Krauter and Pitchkites take bits and pieces of those songs and create their own path. Krauter was previously in chillwave project Hoops, and Wishy deploys some of that influence here, too.
“Lovesick” sprinkles in some Britpop. Another new wrinkle in the sound on Nature’s Pill is the use of more electronics and vocal effects. “Sensational” includes both, and is sewn together by Krauter and Pitchkites singing the chorus together. “Mona Lisa” begins with a Madchester shuffle before snapping into jangle pop mode. “You’re Not Serious” and “Blitz” stand out for their inspired propulsion. “Kiss Kiss Kiss” is grounded by a synth and effect-laden vocals from Pitchkites before a shoegaze guitar kicks in. It’s one of the prettiest songs. The closer, “Party World”, is an addictive swirl of pretty, delicate verses and a huge chorus.
Nature’s Pill is end-to-end sticky hooks and earworm choruses. It would be easy to label this as the Krauter and Pitchkites show, but the rest of the band–Dimitri Morris on guitar, Mitch Collins on bass, and Conner Host on drums–are right there with them, delivering stellar work on every track. Together, they elevate the tracks on Nature’s Pill above those on Triple Seven, which remains an impressive collection.
Nature’s Pill is just that much better, building on the promise of that debut and last year’s Planet Popstar EP. It would be lazy to dismiss this as a nineties-indebted nostalgia trip. Each track offers something unexpected that makes this such a pleasurable listen. It’s likely not long before dream pop, are influencing a new wave of younger bands. For power pop and alternative rock aficionados, this is a feast and one of the year’s best records.