Ever since my Spotify algorithm recommended indie pop trio wave to earth to me last summer, it’s been my no-skip artist. Known for creating guitar-based rock, the Korean band has over 7.5 million monthly on Spotify and consists of drummer Dong Kyu Shin, bassist John Cha and singer Daniel Kim.
Their motto “All Self-made” gives their highly melodic music an original style that oozes a spacious yet intimate vibe. It’s no wonder that they’re the unofficial ambassador of Korea’s indie-rock community.
Without any prior announcement or promotion of the album, I awoke to “0.03 play with earth!” on Aug. 6 and hurriedly plugged in my AirPods to take a listen.
So far, I’ve really enjoyed this album, and I always hear something new — whether it be softly layered melodies or a mellow bass — as the tracks progress. Unlike albums like “0.1 flaws and all” and “summer flows 0.02,” which were more melancholic and were a mixture of English and Korean, this album is all in English and has a much more upbeat feeling with a happy-go-lucky vibe to it. Songs from previous albums were more centered on themes like the pain of being apart (“seasons”) and relationships (“bad”), while this album features songs about dreams (“beck”) and hope (“slow dive”).
The album begins with “are you bored?” — an instrumental track that sets a lively and energetic tone. Synths play a tickling motif, accompanied by a jazzy strum on the bass. Along with the midtempo strutting, the overlaid melodies and harmonizing makes the song a groovy and colorful listen.
My personal favorite is “holyland.” With a jazzy interlude and gently strummed chords that melt you down to the toes, this song is cohesive and perfect for a sunny beach day. The electric guitar entrance near the end of the song is the cherry on top and leaves you with a warm lingering feeling. Cha plays a surging guitar paired with syncopated drumming that builds the mood electrically; the instrument then reaches a powerful climax with a crushing chord and ties the song up neatly.
The second song on the album, “play with earth!” takes second place for me. It’s reminiscent of the exhilaration you feel while biking down rolling hills on a summer day. The song begins with synths that play out a cheery and almost cartoonish tune that is paired with lightly hummed lyrics: “And we just embrace the flow/playing with the earth, you know.” Kim shows his versatility as a singer here by freestyling riffs and delivering a lively yet laidback performance. Once again, wave to earth crafts an intense feeling of thrill using an animated bass and playful drumming.
Though the album had numerous gems, I was particularly disappointed with “annie.” Beginning with a ballad-like intro and incorporating elements of funk-pop, the music quickly swings into a rocky beat before Daniel Kim abruptly drops an unprecedented, explicit “f— you”; wave to earth has never put expletives in their work before. I felt that the execution of the profanity was unnatural and off-putting against the light composition of the song. The still-mellow synth clashes with Kim’s profanity.
The album has many merits, and though the songs didn’t hit me as much as their previous albums, wave to earth does an excellent job of carrying through a carefree character; it’s lazy sunshine bottled.
Catch me listening to “holyland” while reconnecting with nature or while snoozing on the outdoor couch in my backyard. If anything, I will be looking forward to their next work and hearing their live version of the album at their concerts, after buying their new merch, of course.
Final verdict: 4 out of 5 Falcons.
