Album Review: Windwaker – smile, you’re on camera (Civilians / Fearless Records)

Windwaker, purveyors of modern genre-bending alternative music, are back with their most eclectic work to date. It’s their third album, ‘smile, you’re on camera’, and it is out on October 23rd, 2026, through Civilians & Fearless Records.

A challenging listen because the way in which Windwaker genre bend, the group don’t just take inspiration from the rock and metal world, they cast their net much further afield. Experimenting with pop, hip-hop, electronica, and more, while also having bite courtesy of a rawer, darker, and more honest heavy focus. It’s in keeping with what the band has been creating to date but expanded upon.

Putting it simply, I think it is the kind of record that could only ever come from experience. Which Windwaker have plenty of now.

Twelve tracks long, there are some immediate hits here. Tracks that stand out for their anthemic ways, tracks that get the heart beating faster, and tracks that will appeal to a wider audience. Then there are the growers. Tracks that need more time and more listens to fully appreciate. Some of these end up being the album’s best efforts too as the peeling layers reveal even more depth.

In the first half of the record, it’s tracks like closer and click that impress the most. The former because it is straight-forwardly catchy, the latter because it features RinRin, and delivers hyperactive infectiousness in schizophrenic fashion.

Whereas tracks like low, do or die, and dna aren’t quite as hot, but do offer varied genre tinkering, tons of dramatic expression, and thought-provoking experimentation. You don’t have to love everything Windwaker do to recognise quality and appeal, and each of these tracks are quality and will have plenty of appeal.

In the interest of honesty though, burn doesn’t do much for me until it reaches its last 30-odd seconds. Then things get really cool. That ending is a nice boost into the second half too, where victory lap delivers concentrated power and some of the album’s most aggressive touches. Alas, as much as I dig that track, the pairing of lie to me and wait for me aren’t my jam at all. Both aim to appeal to more contemporary pop fans to mixed results. I prefer the former over the latter, but only just.

Another strong guest, Mikaila Delgado, tons of punk rock energy, and alternative anthemic focus gets things back on track though with the excellent loser. The use of electronica in that track is inspired, but I’m always more about Windwaker unleashing carnage, and that is what I get with overlord. A meaty and manic banger with a killer breakdown and some throat-tearing vocal roars. My favourite track on the album.

The end section of the album is, arguably, the strongest and capping things off is some days. Mood altering, melodramatic, and showcasing a different side to their expression. It’s a cool ending.

I think it’s a great example of where different people will take different things out of the album. For me, it can be really clever and really addictive, but it also lacks imagination in places, and not every idea works. It does feel like a new chapter for the band, and they’re certainly drawing from a more authentic side of themselves, which is only going to bring more listeners in. Especially as their genre-bending ways are so eclectic.

Windwaker – smile, you’re on camera Track Listing:

1. Low
2. closer
3. click (ft. RinRin)
4. do or die
5. dna
6. burn
7. victory lap
8. lie to me
9. wait for me
10. loser (ft. Mikaila Delgado)
11. overlord
12. some days

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