“If you’ve lost everything you’ve got, what are you gonna do man?”
“You’ve just got to keep moving forward.”
Those words played over a dreamy and distorted instrumental track is how Inner Wave’s first full-length album III opens. Released in October 2013, the album features eight songs, including one of their most popular, “American Spirits.” The album, which has most certainly stood the test of time, celebrated its 10th anniversary this October.
Inner Wave is one of those rare groups where there isn’t a bad song in their discography. Their range stretches from mellow to energetic, and their unique sound, personal lyrics and surrealistic tone is something that’s only grown since the release of III.
Compared to their other albums, III definitely has a more subdued tone to it overall, but that’s part of the beauty of it. Songs such as “Feel Better” and “Happy 21” create a feeling of warmth, comfort and safety, perfect for the days when you need music to match the overcast fall weather outside. On the other hand, songs like “R.Dkrd” and “Pseudo” bring in more synth and psychedelic sounds, focusing more so on the instrumental sections but still carrying with them this feeling of comfort and loss.
The group’s most streamed song on Spotify, “American Spirits,” also resides on III. One of my personal favorites in their entire library, “American Spirits,” stands out as the most upbeat song on the album by far. The music video for the song, which is filmed in a grainy VHS-style, fits the late night vibe of it well, but surprisingly also plays heavily into the horror genre, something none of Inner Wave’s other music videos do. The mix of horror and the cheerful sound of the song do, however, mix well as video has become a staple among their collection.
The lyrics within the songs of III are also worth mentioning, as the album as a whole contemplates growing up, loneliness and lost relationships. These are all themes that Inner Wave has included in numerous songs and are part of why I’ve been so drawn to their music. These themes, while a bit depressing on the surface, reflect what it’s like to be thrown into adulthood and long for the days of childhood and safety, and do so in a way that’s catchy and personable.
Overall, I think III, while not usually discussed as one of Inner Wave’s most popular albums, creates a tone unlike any of their other albums and encompasses the feeling of change in a way music often fails to do. Inner Wave does an excellent job at creating catchy, relatable and personal songs, and III as a whole fits this tone, even ten years later. It not only makes it a unique entry in their discography, but also includes some of my personal favorite songs of theirs.
Emily Imanishi is a Senior Writing for Film, TV and Emerging Media major who dreams of one day hearing “Feel Better” performed live. She can be reached at [email protected].