Album Review: Ben Quad’s Wisher: Hope, Growth, and the Next Wave of Emo!

When Ben Quad released their debut, "I’m Scared That’s All There Is," in 2022, it captured a raw glimpse of uncertainty and youthful anxiety. With “WISHER,” out this Friday through Pure Noise Records, the Oklahoma-based band shifts the lens: the same emotional intensity becomes tempered by reflection, growth, and an underlying optimism. This 10-track album has it all: raw energy, sing-alongs, moments of reflection, angst, and incredible instrumentation.

"WISHER" opens with "What Fer?" a song that sets the tone with urgency and emotional weight behind it. With lyrics like "So how’s it going? Where’ve you been? You’ve got this really funny way of always shrugging off the pain," you feel the frustration and care for whom the lyrics are intended. The instrumentals are a push and pull with tension. While the song starts off slow, the tension is there, and it builds with the lyrics until they release simultaneously. "What Fer?" balances familiar elements of Midwest Emo that fans know from Ben Quad while showcasing signs of growth and evolution.

“Painless” is the second single and second track off “WISHER,” and the song's lyrics pack a punch. You feel the grief, guilt, and helplessness in the lyrics. “I can’t take back that wasted time / just know you never wasted mine” and “with every flicker / with every last breath that I take / I’ll live a life worth everything / I’ll do this for you.” You feel the vow they're taking to live a life meaningfully for someone who has left theirs. The instrumentals and delivery balance both pop sensibility and raw aggression. The chorus is catchy enough with Sam and Henry trading off vocal lines. The outro has heavier parts to maintain that raw aggression. What stood out to me is that the arrangement feels more refined because while it’s still intense, there is more room for melody and dynamic shifts.

“You Wanted Us, You Got Us” features Zayna Youssef of Sweet Pill. The instrumentals blend Midwest Emo/Post Emo roots with intricate guitar riffs mixed with emotional vocal delivery, while also incorporating a modern pop sound that is experimented with throughout “WISHER.” The lyrics convey themes of failure and inner turmoil. The song blends emotional rawness and melodic finesse, and Zayna Youssef's vocals bring a sense of calm in the aggression.

“Did You Decide to Skip Arts and Crafts? Ft. Sam Canty” opens with a voicemail that I feel all artists know too well. Ben Quad might be making a little joke about it, but as fans, we have all made statements such as “I like their old sound” or the famous “they sold out,” and it takes a toll on artists. We as humans are constantly growing, and artists do the same, and that comes with changing of sound. The instrumentals in this song and arrangement are different from the previous songs. The chorus has a melodic aggressive tone to it, and the verse pulls back on the aggressiveness and allows the song to breathe.  

Ben Quad's lead single "It’s Just A Title" serves as the album's midpoint. At first, I was questioning why the lead single is set as the midpoint in the album, but it makes sense when listening to the whole album. "It’s Just A Title" sets the emotional tone for the record while showcasing their new sound featuring more pop elements. Listening to the song, I can hear inspiration from Motion City Soundtrack, The Starting Line, and The Story So Far with the pop elements, but they keep their roots in Midwest Emo. What really stands out in "It’s Just A Title" is the contrast between the uncertain lyrics and the upbeat energy of the melodic pop riffs.

“Very Big in Sheboygan” is one of the more pop-oriented tracks from “WISHER” and served as the third pre-release single. The song showcases a poppier side of Ben Quad, while still carrying an urgency that matches the lyrical context. The song truly shows listeners the growth in sound within the band without sacrificing the energy and intensity that Ben Quad is known for in previous releases.

“All Your Luck” keeps the pop energy flowing, but with more of a groove. The first time I heard the song, I couldn’t help but bop my head to the beat and think of bands like Motion City Soundtrack and All Time Low. “All Your Luck” has more of a straightforward progression and arrangement, which allows the listeners to vibe to the song and listen to the lyrics.

“Classic Case of Guy on the Ground” is a standout song on the album. This is the moment in the album where it gives you a break from the urgency found in “Painless” and “It’s Just A Title” and gives the listeners a more grounded moment. “Classic Case” is a perfect blend of emotionally raw instrumentals, from incredible drum fills to more polished synths as backing tracks. Another highlight of the track is the vocals, as we get a taste of a falsetto hook in the chorus. This song is placed perfectly on the album because it gives the listeners a breather before finishing strong.

“West of West” is a song where you really hear the band stretch out and experiment with unique sounds. The track starts off slow and builds tension, but it goes into a more experimental sound with glitchy synths and other textures layered that are not found in other songs. The song includes Nathan Hardy of Microwave, whose vocals harmonize seamlessly with Ben Quad's sound.

“I Hate Cursive and I Hate All of You” brings me back to the 2006-2010 bands like The Devil Wears Prada, Iwrestledabearonce, and A Day to Remember when naming the track. Bring back song titles like “Tastes Like Kevin Bacon,” “Who Speaks Spanish, Colon Quesadilla,” “I’m Made of Wax, Larry, What Are You Made Of?” and “No Need for Introductions, I’ve Read About Girls Like You on the Back of Toilet Doors!” Now that I have pled my case, back to the review.

“I Hate Cursive and I Hate All of You” is the closing for “WISHER” and it’s the perfect way to end this album. The song is more aggressive and emotionally raw, bringing you back to songs like “Painless.” This song feels rougher compared to the more polished sound found on the other tracks, but it delivers such emotion that for me it’s the peak of the album. When this song concluded, I instantly hit replay to start the journey again.

The production on the album is outstanding. “I’m Scared That’s All There Is” had more of a raw tone to it, which, being the band’s first full-length album, made sense. Ben Quad was young and full of that raw, uncertain energy, but now, being a band that has gone through the process, you hear their growth and maturity in “WISHER.” This album has a cleaner, polished sound, which could relate to the studio setting and producer Jon Markson. The synth layers, guitar solos, dynamic changes in songs, and the more spacious mix show the band’s growth and showcase Jon Markson's work. This album sounds amazing in the car, with headphones, through a PA system, and through desktop speakers. Well done!

Recording with Jon Markson has helped Ben Quad to step beyond their DIY roots, and it’s evident in “WISHER.” The band trades in the scrappy charm of their debut for a sound that’s self-assured and yet still vulnerable. “WISHER” is an album of growth, musically and emotionally, for Ben Quad. They have proven that optimism can hit just as hard as angst! Whether you come for the riffs or stay for the catharsis, “WISHER” makes good on every promise.

“WISHER” is set to release Friday, 11/14/25 via Pure Noise Records. You can pre-order the album and view bundle options at https://lnk.to/BenQuad_Stores. Catch Ben Quad out on tour from November 3rd to November 23rd with KOYO in the U.S. and in the UK and EU with Arm’s Length in February. Tickets can be found at https://benquad.com/tour.