Andi Fins - Cooking, Puzzling, Working

​Andi Fins

Cooking, Puzzling, Working
self-released; 2025

TOP ALBUM

By Matt Jensen

Andi Fins’ Cooking, Puzzling, Working is one of those rare records that threads the needle between playful experimentation and emotional resonance. The Berlin-based musician folds together synth-pop, art rock, and funk-tinged grooves into a cohesive whole, delivering an album that feels simultaneously casual and hyper-detailed. Every track walks a fine line—catchy without being obvious, clever without losing heart.

The opener, “i want i want,” kicks things off with a warped disco pulse that wouldn’t feel out of place on Midnite Vultures-era Beck. It’s tongue-in-cheek and robotic, until it suddenly explodes into a soaring hook that echoes the technicolor haze of early Tame Impala. It’s a bold, shape-shifting entry point into a record that constantly shifts gears but never loses direction.

“How Will You Know?” leans into warmth—both in tone and texture. Fins’ vocals glide over a patient arrangement, where every instrument feels carefully placed. The chorus comes in strong, surprising in its emotional clarity, and somehow elevates the entire track. It’s one of the album’s standout moments—not because it shouts, but because it listens.

“Love It” introduces a unique rhythmic palette, with synths flickering against a buoyant bassline. It has a cerebral edge but never feels heavy—the beat moves, and the track moves with it. It’s built for dancing, but dancing in a room where the bookshelves are full and the lights are low.

The middle stretch is where Fins hits his stride. “The Moons of Saturn” layers cowbell, handclaps, and jangly guitars into a joyfully kinetic pop song. “You Need a Friend” dials down the tempo with a woozy, sensual energy, while “On A Stick” radiates a kind of low-key warmth, like the glow of embers in a fireplace.

Then there’s the final act. “Only A Kiss” rides a slick groove that recalls Phoenix at their most polished. “Model of Perfection” is all velvet synths and wry charm, while “Split In Two” stumbles into stranger territory with sharp angles and unexpected rhythmic choices. Closer “Transition” lives up to its name—complex, layered, and a bit melancholic, with arrangements that flirt with the meticulous weirdness of Radiohead’s more melodic moments.

Cooking, Puzzling, Working is a confident, surprising record that’s bursting with color and texture. Andi Fins proves himself as a producer and songwriter with a clear vision—one that doesn’t rely on nostalgia or trend-chasing, but on curiosity and craft. It’s one of the most thoughtfully fun albums of the year. Highly Recommended!

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