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Beach Vacation

Beach Vacation originally formed in 2012 between members Tabor Rupp and Justyn Newman after playing a high school talent show. The band received international recognition while they were just 16-17, and their first EP was released in the UK, Japan, and US. More recently, after signing with former grammy awards committee member Alex Wilhelm, Tabor started to again gain some traction. The most recent album “Coping Habits” was mixed/mastered by Boy Pablo’s producer Erik Thormshein and features a collaboration with Cathedral Bells on the single ‘Blurred Out.’ They did 2 tours in 2024 as well as release a new EP titled “Let Go”.

Indigo Waves

Indigo Waves

At times poppy and polished, and other times, melancholic, Indigo Waves runs the gamut of saccharine, ’80s lo-fi nostalgia and dream pop. With catchy singles such as “Jerry Whiner” and “Can’t Let Go,” Indigo Waves reminds me of Wild Nothing but with a sound that lends itself to more rock rhythms. In between each upbeat single, richly sublime tracks serve as emotional palette cleansers, as in “Let Go,” a personal favorite of mine from the album that imparts a hopeful gloominess, and “Draynor Manor,” a synthy, instrumental track that encompasses the cassette-tape atmosphere of the entire album. 
 Vocalist/guitarist Austin Oestreich has a way of emotively charging his simplistic vocal melodies that makes the slightly distorted vocals pop against the instrumental background. For me, “Thanks” highlights the interplay between the somber lyrics, Oestreich’s charming vocals and the upbeat guitar and synth melodies well. The highly danceable track features a chorus of “Oh yeah you’re falling asleep / Oh yeah you’re caught in a dream.” Similarly, the second track, “Symbols,” boosts the album’s tone with an ethereal soundscape that breaks into an upbeat rhythm and equally optimistic vocals. The dichotomy between the nostalgic dreaminess and the catchy pop elements sets each track of Indigo Waves apart from the rest. Don’t be surprised if you catch an ear worm or two—these songs will get stuck in your head. 
 -Ali Shimkus, SLUG Mag