Have you ever wondered what someone else’s life may be like? Have you ever thought about each stranger having a vastly different and unique experience to your own? The Wrecks take us on a journey in their sophomore album, Sonder, exploring the definition of the title as well as the band’s matured sound.

The title track, “Sonder” is the perfect song to begin the record with, setting the energy and genre-bending tone for the following tracks and the band’s return to music in 2022. The song is upbeat, lively, and extremely catchy, highlighting exactly what The Wrecks are as musicians and artists.

Following with “I Love This Part” and “Where Are You Now (Feat. Girlhouse),” both tracks exemplify the sonically creative aspects of The Wrecks. Lead vocalist, Nick Anderson, shows off his wildly impressive vocal range, especially mixing with the harmonies from Girlhouse. Both songs are beautifully crafted, introducing an innovation in production with bridge build-ups and exciting choruses.

Moving into “Don’t Be Scared,” The Wrecks give a thrilling performance on the track, causing irony amongst the high energy song while discussing social problems. With the fifth track on the record, “Unholy” is one of my favorite songs off the album. It is a fun song. Beginning to end, the track is musically diverse, providing a ton of interesting shifts and complexity adding to the excitement in listening. From the rhymes and lyrics to the drumbeat and piano highlights, “Unholy” is beautifully chaotic.

Transitioning into alt-rock ballads “Dystopia” and “Unrequited,” The Wrecks spotlight their roots with ingenuity in guitar and drumming moments. The synergy amongst the band is prevalent amongst these songs, with the lyrics, vocals, and instruments creating dynamic melodies.

“No Place I’d Rather Be” is reminiscent of an alt-j track mixed with a hint of rock. It has a complicated mix from synths to vocal harmonies and beats, the song is interesting and definitely proves The Wrecks’ ability to produce a diversified track list.

With tracks 9 and 11, they follow the animated vibe of Sonder. Having a lighter mood, the lively “Ugly Side” is enjoyable through and through. For the last track on the album, there is no better way to describe it than just being a funky, fresh song; “Lone Survivor” is a great way to end the record.

Backtracking to track 10, “Normal” has to be the best song on this album. Starting off with a slower pace and lyrics discussing self-reflection, this song is something many people can relate to and will find solace in. The pre-chorus to chorus is, to say the least, inspirational. It is one of those tracks that makes you feel like you are not alone, that your feelings are understood. With the lyrics, “How come it’s so hard for me/ What does it take to be normal,” thoughts and feelings are expressed that the collective can definitely sympathize with. The vocal runs, layering, and isolation collectively make this song vibrant and intriguing. However, the bridge into the chorus is what brings “Normal” home, finalizing the acceptance of the track, and Sonder as a whole.

Sonder is a dynamic album. Throughout the 11-song tracklist, there is not a single skip. Consisting of Nick Anderson, Aaron Kelley, Nick “Schmizz” Schmidt, and Billy Nally, The Wrecks have created a masterpiece of a sophomore album. The Wrecks have thoroughly impressed me with this album; Sonder is brilliant, high-spirited, and sonically ingenious.

Check out The Wrecks’ latest album, Sonder, available on all streaming platforms now!

The Wrecks Debut Genre-Bending Sophomore Album, "Sonder"