California indie-rock outfit Inner Wave are back with their brand new album, See You When I Get Back, an album that comes with its own accompanying movie scripted by the band’s vocalist and starring many of the band’s friends. Honestly, I feel this band needs way more exposure than I feel they’re getting because this album is pretty good.
In an age of streaming, music discovery can be kind of tough. We’re force-fed music via algorithms and music platforms telling us what we should be listening to. Love it or hate it, that’s how I discovered Inner Wave back in 2018. I believe it was a jazz-fusion type playlist which mixed in neo-psychedelia, math-pop, and alt-jazz all in one. There was something about this band that stood out to me, and I have been a fan ever since.
See You When I Get Back is an album which I can only describe as a neo-psychedelic Gorillaz mixed with elements of BADBADNOTGOOD and Jerry Paper. It’s a smorgasbord of indie rock, funk, and jazz that’s just so delicious. It captures this feel-good, laid-back summer vibe that I can’t get enough of.
Kicking immediately off with Madre, this track is a mellow, synth-driven, soulful vibe with punchy, deadened drums, a smooth bassline, and an orchestral arrangement that dances intricately with the synth. This might seem like a bit of a slow introduction to the album, but things quickly speed up with the next track, Sweet, which takes the elements of Madre and mixes it up into a disco vibe. Two tracks in and I’m already enamoured.
This album, according to the band, is a throwback to their roots, looking at past influences and pairing them with their own vibes and flavours. From playing past songs live, they found most of the energy of the crowd came from upbeat songs, so that’s why this album takes more of a lively turn than previous records, and honestly, it’s a great choice. We’re in need of something a bit more lighthearted and fun, and See You When I Get Back delivers.
I think that’s the best way to describe See You When I Get Back: FUN. Even though lyrically the album explores themes of sobriety and loss, instrumentally the album is a bop from start to finish, with each track delivering a lively, upbeat, funky, neo-psych vibe that keeps you tapping your toes throughout the album’s 36-minute run – which might seem a little short, so it makes sense the band has decided to drop a deluxe edition with extra tracks (and the aforementioned movie).
Overall, See You When I Get Back, oozes an energy that’ll make you wonder why you’ve never listened to this band before. It’s a string of bop after bop, and while it does lack any real vocal hook, that’s okay, because for me this album isn’t about finding a summer sing-a-long vibe but more of a musical journey. Just whack it on, lay back, and vibe. The more I listen to this album, the better it becomes and I can truly see this one becoming up there as a top album for 2026.
Score: 8/10
Inner Wave dropped See You When I Get Back on February 27 via Nettwerk Music.