For those unaware, experimenting with new genres which led them down a rabbit hole of creating out-of-the-box New Wave and ’80s-inspired songs, The Candy Whips tried out different songwriting techniques in getting their brand new album Artificial Melodies created (out now via Kitten Robot Records).

Side A was written by the full band, while Side B, features solo music from only founder Wendy Stonehenge which has been de rigeur for the band’s previous output. “The B Side of this album is going to go over great with fans of the first album, but I’m hoping to expand our audience with the full band material,” Wendy Stonehenge explains. “This album is an exciting next step for the CANDY WHIPS project. I can’t wait to get these songs out into the world.”

Already an established member of the well-known Northern California glam rock band Glitter Wizard, Wendy formed The Candy Whips as a side project to dabble in music that didn’t fit his other band. When live shows ground to a halt during the pandemic, he re-ignited the project in his home studio and transported Kraftwerk’s roborock to Oakland, fusing the genres punk, electronic, and synthpop.

Previously known for creating the critically-hailed gonzo cyberpunk of his 2021’s debut LP Automaton, and 2023’s hypnotic A.L.T.C.H.B.S., Artificial Melodies is elevating the band into a new chapter. He assembled a notable group of seasoned Bay Area rock luminaries including David Kurtz (Whateverglades), Greg Downing (Glitter Wizard), Melanie Burkett (Psychic Hit), and Warren Huegel (Daevid Allen’s University of Errors/Citay) to this iteration. He says, “I’m even more excited to continue onto the next phase! More great stuff to come!”

Side A:
1. The Usher
2. I’m A Lizard
3. A Drop Will Do
4. Strange Taste
5. Same Old Story
6. Stretch

Side B:
7. TV Set
8. Everything You Say
9. Just Like You
10. Psyclones
11. Crippled Angel

Removing the vinyl from its inner sleeve, placing it on the turntable, and then gently putting the needle on its spinning surface, this mesmerizingly opulent new recording opens on the melodically jaunty The Usher and the drum-led rocker I’m A Lizard and they are backed by the synth-tastic A Drop Will Do, the powerfully-crafted Strange Taste, and then we get the rhythmically-grooved Same Old Story and the storied, guitar-driven reach of Stretch brought forth.

Flipping the vinyl over and along next is the drum and synth-fed, sonically computer-imbibed TV Set and that is in turn followed seamlessly by the frenetically phased vocals that drive Everything You Say, the Depeche Mode-hued Just Like You, the album rounding out on the soaringly triumphant angst of Psyclones, closing on the atmospherically fluctuating synth work that ebbs and flows throughout the instrumental Crippled Angel.

The Candy Whips is Wendy Stonehenge (lead vocals), Greg Downing (guitar/backup vocals), David Kertz (keyboards/synthesizers), Warren Huegel (drums), and Melanie Burkett (bass).

Their new angular synthpop album Artificial Melodies is out now!

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The Candy Whips @ Spotify