Dust off those black studded boots hidden at the back of the closet, because it’s time to welcome the return of pop punk with Wave Break’s new EP!
The New Jersey band has established itself in the East Coast music scene, both with their own tours and by supporting other bands, solidifying a project with a strong aesthetic, sound, and message. Without needing major innovations in the genre, they attract listeners who can’t get their melodies out of their heads. Moreover, for those who were dedicated fans of alternative rock in the late 2000s, the resemblance—both in style and sound—to Paramore’s early years is unmistakable. Watching promising bands grow from their beginnings is truly a privilege.
Ignite//Decay, available from August 30th, marks the band’s third EP, through which they aim to convey a message of hope to their fans. Across the five tracks that make up the record, they explore the experience of overcoming difficult times and finding the strength to move forward.
The opening track, ‘Call Me Cynical,’ immediately sets the tone for the project: lots of guitars, a very clean sound without losing that garage edge, and a powerful voice, full of nuances, with excellent vocalization. In this song, Wave Break reflects on being in a relationship where, even before it ends, the other person has emotionally checked out. No matter how much one might want to stay, the active decision to walk away is necessary to avoid self-destruction.
‘Embers’ follows right after, and it’s clear why it was chosen as the lead single for the EP. With overwhelming energy, it addresses issues like mental health, the loss of passions, and the inability to find joy in things once loved. However, within this context, the song, written in the first person, is a cry of resilience, a call to fight on and not allow oneself to fade away.
Midway through the journey comes ‘Lost in Limbo,’ which continues the themes of the previous track but from a different perspective, presenting the moment when one has lost so much of themselves that they no longer recognize who they are, don’t know where they fit in, or how to move forward. Next, ‘Spark’ picks up the pace with a more serious tone, discussing the challenge of starting over, the difficulty of trusting someone after negative experiences, but also the desire to be vulnerable again and to ask for the same level of commitment from the other person to make things work.
Wave Break closes with ‘Wither Away,’ a declaration of intent, a self-portrait of the band, making it clear that they do not intend to abandon their dream, that they’re going to achieve great things, and they won’t stop. And listeners certainly won’t want them to!
Following the release of Ignite//Decay, the band will embark on a tour across several U.S. cities, so if they’re playing nearby, it’s a plan not to be missed in September. And if they’re not close by, turn up the volume, sing at the top of your lungs, and above all, share these songs with friends who need to hear this message!
Written by: Beatriz Rose
Edited by: Molly Day
