Description
Hurtwave, a synthwave group made up of two members of Dayseeker’s post-hardcore band, has finally released their debut EP, Night Therapy I. Since last year, the duo has been releasing each tune every few months, and the EP is finally out, with the last single “Overdose.”
Hurtwave should be required listening for Dayseeker fans, as it employs much of the same vocal approaches, such as haunting harmonies, high-reaching choruses, and Rodriguez’s swap of soft/delicate and shouting/punishing vocal runs. It’s pleasant to listen to Night Therapy I from beginning to end, backed by Karle’s cohesion with multi-layered synth/R&B components, sax solos in two tracks, and a duet in “New Year’s Eve.” The band marketed its singles as “doses” of Night Therapy for a reason – forlorn songwriting would resonate with devastated listeners as anthems to cling on in depressing times.
The climactic, agonising chorus of “Fever Dream,” the instrumental buildup within “Black and Blue,” and Landon Tewers’ fit-like-a-glove feature in “Overdose” are among the EP’s highlights — the two’s previous 2021 collab in Tewers’ “Kill Me” is paying off for listeners. There hasn’t been a shortage of goosebumps-inducing moments in the Night Therapy releases during the last few months.
Therapy at Night I’m one of those rare artists who can write songs that are as good as the last – songs you can sing in the shower, in the car, wherever. Hurtwave received just as much work and attention from Rodriguez and Karle as any other Dayseeker release, and they should be pleased of its excellence while also relieved that it’s finally out to the public after years of anticipation. “I hope Mike and I will keep producing music like this for a long, long time,” Rodriguez said in our conversation. Let’s say 100 (Night Therapy releases) and see how far we can get.” I really hope so, because Night Therapy I is pure listening delight.
