Secondwave’s debut EP, STATIC, bursts forth like an indie-rock sunrise, brimming with funky undercurrents and nostalgic echoes of classic rock. Hailing from Orange County, CA, this fresh-faced trio—two dancers-turned-musicians and an East Coast drummer—leap past conventional genres, crafting a sound that feels at once retro and thrillingly new.
This review isn’t a track-by-track breakdown. Instead, let’s spotlight the heartbeats of STATIC—the emotional anchors and musical sparks that make this EP shine.
“When I See Her” Picture guitar chords strummed with both purpose and casual warmth, overlaid with a rhythm section that makes your hips want to move. That’s “When I See Her.” From the first note, a voice gently enters—nostalgic, hopeful, intimate. It’s one of those songs that feels like a memory you haven’t experienced yet. As the track unfolds, the tension and release in the melody tug at your heart, like catching someone’s eye across a crowded room and realizing everything else fades away. The chorus lands smooth, with a little burst of soul, echoes of Motown, but delivered with laid-back indie charm. It’s a window into Secondwave’s gift for blending upbeat grooves with confessional lyrics.
Switch gears, and you’re in “Coming of Age,” a track that feels like a rite of passage set to music. Electric guitar riffs spiral into a more urgent groove, underpinned by band members’ shared dance-crew chemistry, as if every note was choreographed. The lyrics linger on transformation, self-discovery, and the bittersweet thrill of growing up. In this song, there’s room to breathe, to stretch, to feel the pulse of life beyond comfort zones. The infectiously percussive beat, likely courtesy of their drummer’s seasoned chops, keeps a steady heartbeat even as the guitars take flight. It’s an anthem for anybody standing at a crossroads, mid-transition, and feeling equal parts excited and petrified.
Then comes “Runaway,” the EP’s high-speed confession. This track rides on guitar lines that shimmer like heatwaves on asphalt, propelled by drum rhythms that feel like rubber burning on pavement. The vocals lean into the theme, yearning, restless, alive. “Runaway” is storytelling in motion: a journey into the unknown, propelled by desire and a whisper of rebellion. The instrumentation builds steadily, weaving in flourishes, maybe a funk-inspired bass lick here, some tasteful guitar fills there, until you’re swept into their world of late-night decisions and heartbeats syncopated against streetlights. It ends with a satisfying sense of momentum, as if the band is saying, “We’re just getting started.”
What makes STATIC stand out isn’t just the individual tracks, it’s the bond between them. These three songs feel like chapters of one emotional story: from the spark of recognition in “When I See Her,” to the tension of self-discovery in “Coming of Age,” to the open-road invitation of “Runaway.” There’s a throughline of authenticity and warmth, an unfiltered honesty that makes all their influences coalesce beautifully. Secondwave isn’t wearing their genre preferences like a badge, they’re weaving them into a tapestry, a sound that’s unmistakably theirs.
Their dancers’ background injects rhythm into the music, never overwhelming, always enhancing. Their East Coast drummer roots the songs in a solid groove, while the guitar and keys drift between crunchy rock tones and shimmering indie-pop layers. Lyrically, the EP navigates growth, longing, and liberation all delivered in plainspoken, heartfelt language that connects without pretense.
Perhaps the most compelling thing is the invitation STATIC extends: there are darker themes here, self-doubt, restlessness, yearning—but the music isn’t weighed down by them. The result? A sense of vitality and optimism. Even when exploring the shadows, Secondwave keeps the light shining.
STATIC is the first act in what promises to be a compelling trilogy, and it sets the stage with songs that resonate deeply. “When I See Her” captures that tender spark of connection. “Coming of Age” channels the chaotic beauty of transformation. “Runaway” pushes us to chase freedom. Together, they form an emotional arc that’s at once personal and universal.
This is a band that’s unafraid to embrace their layers—indie, rock, funk, soul—and channel them through the lens of lived experience. STATIC is more than a debut; it’s a statement: Secondwave’s story is just beginning, and they’re bringing us along, one groove at a time. Keep an ear out for the rest of the trilogy—if this EP is any indication, we’re in for a ride.