On their second album, Wisterio weaves together a tranquil kaleidoscope of shimmering synths, whimsical solos, and buoyant harmonies.
Building on a natural sonic palette, Wisterio’s Puddlesonic is an album with something for everyone—atmospheric instrumental tracks, cozy acoustic jams, and upbeat psych-pop anthems. Starting with the meditative rhythm of “Ripples” and closing with the expansive climax of “Strollin’,” the album’s energy ebbs and flows constantly. Puddlesonic creates a mindful space that expands beyond its immediate presence as a 45-minute album.
Wisterio brings attention to the minutiae of day-to-day life that are often lost along the way by mixing together raw, organic sounds with more electronic fragments. The album falls somewhere between familiar and unexpected, giving it an otherworldly feel, with tracks like “Misty Moon,” where twangy banjo and delicate touches of cymbals and trumpets are a timeless backdrop to harmonies that howl at the night sky, or on “Seashells,” where whispery vocals flow to the sound of waves crashing. “Coffee Shop Rock” continues to ascribe meaning to simple things—here exploring nothing more than a walk to the coffee shop with a meandering rhythm and raspy guitar. But Wisterio still surprises when the track cuts out three-quarters of the way through and returns moments later with an ominous and low-pitched violin that fades out the song.
Despite these attempts to slow down and focus in, Puddlesonic acknowledges that time will continue to move to its own beat. This is cause for trepidation on “All of My Worries,” where Wisterio struggles to pin down racing thoughts: “I feel alone when I’m in my own way / And all of my worries turn my hair grey.” Pondering time never seems to get them down, however, as the happy-go-lucky guitar and terse harmonies create a velvety wave of sound that uplifts the lyrics’ anxiety. On “Ferris Wheel,” they resolve their worries by finding solidarity in being a tiny cog in a huge machine: “Circles and space dust / What else are we made of?” Laden with heavy percussion, “Ferris Wheel” features multiple keyboard and guitar solos that give the steady rhythm space to wander. Paired with the lyrics’ mysticism, this experimentation takes on a psychedelic vibe that permeates the track.
“Good Morning Zer0” and “How Long” are more delicate songs, turning attention toward searching for a change in life but not knowing where to start. Propelled by a deep insecurity that manifests in “Good Morning Zer0,” Wisterio laments: “You say you are what you want to be / But lately you’ve been wondering if you are what you see.” Unfulfilled with the monotony of routine and dissatisfied by looking inward, this track takes up less space with unadorned vocals set to a spare arrangement. Mirroring this contemplative and subdued atmosphere, “How Long” folds in a silky saxophone solo in between gentle traces of xylophone and tambourine. The track fades out with glittering synths that put a question mark on it, a sentiment that encompasses all of the uncertainties Puddlesonic explores.
Wisterio offers relief from these anxieties on “The Deep Breath,” with a punchy keyboard rhythm and sunny harmonies—the perfect morning pick-me-up. Who wouldn’t want to brush their teeth to the line “Have a good day / Nothing’s gonna bother you?” Continuing in the same spirit, “All the Best” looks to the future with tight syncopation that blends ticking high hats and rumbling drums with belting synths. Hopeful lyrics hint at the excitement of beginning a new chapter: “Life is what you’re moving to / Shape it how you want it to.” The freedom of the words teases out a boisterous chorus that departs from the ordered harmonies of previous tracks and adds to the rich texture of the song.
From start to finish, Puddlesonic feels worlds away from the stress and speed of everyday life. By bringing together a spectrum of melodies, modes, and styles, Wisterio turns the familiar and routine into something playfully unrestrained and unexpected. Introspective and explorative, Puddlesonic offers an opportunity to take “The Deep Breath,” sit back, and soak in Wisterio’s blissed out harmonies and effortless instrumentation.