Windser’s self-titled debut is an emotional contradiction. It’s an album that somehow makes themes like abandonment and hope sound both therapeutic and undeniably catchy, an unexpected but effective combination. Jordan Topf’s ability to pair introspective, often heavy lyricism with bright melodies and lush production makes for quite the listening experience.
The opening track, Abandon, sets the tone. Dreamy reverb, sweet harmonies, and a rising chorus of “You never loved me much,” directed at his dad. It’s a pretty dreamy pop song for being about his dad ditching him for 24 hours at a hotel. Tracks like Memory and TV weave continue the trend of mixing nostalgia with a sense of longing, wrapping difficult emotions in warm, shimmering instrumentation that sounds akin to something you’d hear on a Killers b-side.
Another of the album’s standout moments is Skeletons, a track that reminds you of 80’s electro-pop soundtracks, offering layered harmonics with funky, intricate drumming. The result is a song that feels both deeply personal and effortlessly cool, a balance that Windser strikes repeatedly throughout the record. Whether it’s the way the melodies lift the weight of heavy subject matter or how the instrumentation keeps things engaging without ever feeling overproduced, Topf proves he knows exactly how to walk that line.
Beyond the hooks and polished production, Windser sneaks up on you in ways you don’t expect. I didn’t think I’d find myself reflecting on my own relationship with my parents or the my adventures in parenting, yet here we are. That’s the real power of Windser’s debut, I suppose. It resonates on a personal level, even without apples-to-apples experiences. But it draws out memories and emotions you didn’t plan on confronting. Few albums can do that while still being endlessly replayable, but this one does.