B-Side Guys

Desire’s fleeting nature has inspired countless musical explorations, but few capture its aftermath with the raw immediacy of St. Louis trio The Ricters on their March release, “Candy.” This deceptively straightforward track constructs a precise emotional architecture around the morning-after realization that what felt transcendent by night reveals itself as transitory by daylight.

The band’s minimalist configuration—the classic power trio format—creates a deliberate tension between structural simplicity and emotional complexity. Guitar tones oscillate between crystalline clarity and fuzzy distortion, mirroring the song’s thematic contrast between sweet infatuation and sour disappointment. This duality permeates every aspect of the composition, from its shifting dynamics to its central metaphor of romance as confectionery: momentarily delicious but ultimately insubstantial.

What distinguishes “Candy” within the crowded terrain of disillusionment anthems is its refreshing lack of bitterness. When the protagonist acknowledges that his love interest is “sweet when you wanna be,” there’s no accusation of manipulation—just a clear-eyed assessment of emotional impermanence. The song’s central refrain comparing love to candy that melts away serves not as indictment but observation. This nuance elevates the track beyond simple lament into something more universally resonant.

The lyrics employ cosmic imagery—”Landed on her planet / Breathe in the atmosphere”—to illustrate the otherworldly disorientation of new attraction. These interplanetary references, coupled with mentions of magnetism in the opening lines, create a gravitational metaphor that carries throughout: powerful forces drawing bodies together, yet ultimately governed by laws beyond human control. This scientific framework provides an interesting counterpoint to the more mythological reference to Cupid’s arrow, suggesting both magical and rational explanations for attraction’s mysteries.

Musically, The Ricters occupy an intriguing intersection between indie rock’s melodic sensibilities and stoner rock’s thickness of tone. This hybrid approach creates moments where seemingly straightforward progressions reveal subtle complexities upon repeated listening. The production maintains enough rough edges to preserve authenticity while providing sufficient clarity to showcase the band’s tight instrumental interplay.

For a three-piece from St. Louis entering a crowded alternative landscape, “Candy” demonstrates remarkable restraint and focus. Rather than attempting to dazzle with technical pyrotechnics or overproduction, The Ricters have crafted something more valuable: a concise emotional statement that resonates precisely because of its accessibility. They understand that sometimes the most profound truths arrive wrapped in the simplest packages—sweet on the surface, but with an aftertaste that lingers long after the initial flavor has faded.