Ben Quad are back and aiming higher than ever with their brand-new album Wisher, landing November 14th via Pure Noise Records. The Oklahoma-to-New Jersey crew aren’t just dropping another Midwest emo record — they’re stepping into something bigger, brighter, and more hopeful.
The first taste comes in the form of “It’s Just A Title,” a synth-heavy, guitar-solo–stacked track that shows the band pushing into new sonic territory while keeping their energy intact. Edgar Viveros describes it as “about living with constant existential insecurity,” but the music feels anything but insecure. Think Motion City Soundtrack meets All-American Rejects with Ben Quad’s own twist. The video leans into the fun, complete with silk robes and a tongue-in-cheek vibe that proves they don’t take themselves too seriously, even when the lyrics get deep.
Wisher follows their 2022 debut I’m Scared That’s All There Is, which captured the uncertainty of youth. This time, though, the band are looking forward rather than dwelling on doubt. Recorded with Jon Markson (The Story So Far, Drug Church) on his New Jersey farm, the album found its shape surrounded by barn animals and countryside calm — the perfect spot to shake off old anxieties and evolve their sound.
The tracklist is stacked with collabs, from Zayna Youssef and Sam Canty to Microwave’s Nathan Hardy, showing Ben Quad are ready to build their world out even further. They’re also taking these songs on the road, hitting the US this fall supporting KOYO before heading over to the UK and EU in early 2026 with Arm’s Length. You can grab tickets straight from the band’s site if you want in on the action.
With a mix of pop sensibility, experimental edges, and plenty of heart, Wisher feels like the most confident version of Ben Quad yet. If I’m Scared was them figuring it all out, Wisher is them saying, “We know who we are now.” And if the first single is anything to go by, fans are in for something special.
