Idle Wave have been on a steady release schedule for the past few months leading up to their debut album, and now, with eight singles and one self titled EP available on streaming services, the band are officially ready to make their full debut into the world with their brand new album, Party Guy.

A culmination of songs about relationships, mental illness, and growing up- Party Guy is a coming of age album at it’s core.

Taking you on a 25 minute journey through the mind and life of the band’s frontman Guy Battaglia and through the band’s history as a multi piece project turned solo (with occasional assistance), the album serves as an anecdote to change.

Opening on the emotional and stripped back track “Home,” Idle Wave begin Party Guy by pulling listener’s in and captivating them with the single’s storytelling. Opening on the two words “Bad news,” which is a lyric that repeats throughout the track, “Home” is not a feel good song. But it is also not a “feel bad” song. It simply tells it like it is with a somber sense of realism that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Asking “do I deserve this?” as well as repeating the line “everyone leaves eventually,” the lyrics reflect on the changes that occur around us as we age- whether we are ready for them or not. Life happens, and “Home” takes on different meanings depending where you are on your own journey.

This concept then flows into the next two tracks, “Happy” and “Stay,” both of which navigate the process of ever-evolving relationships.

Both examining the emotions, growth, and changes that happen individual as well as between two people, the songs allow listener’s to both hear Battaglia’s experiences as well as find themselves in the lyrics- wondering what you could do differently to keep a relationship afloat or trying to come to terms with an amicable loss.

It is here that a sonic change occurs in the album. Moving away from the subtle and soft indie vibes of the first few tracks where the instrumentals took a back seat to the lyricism and vocals, the album’s fourth track “Diet” brings in Idle Wave’s full alternative rock band sound.

Opening with a solo acoustic guitar, the song begins by recounting poor choices that are a result of a battle with mental health and the struggle to break ever-present toxic cycles. With a full band kicking in about halfway through, “Diet” gives listeners their first taste of Idle Wave’s rock roots and amps up the intensity of the album.

This vibe then continues into “Space,” which is the first track that navigates wanting to be alone, rather than hoping people won’t leave. Signaling a bit of growth and also a change in attitude, the full bodied indie rock instrumentals give “Space” the floor to connect with anyone who has been dying for some space of their own.

The following song, “All Night,” on the other hand, reverts these ideas and will have listener’s ready to call up an ex just to check in, which the band clearly states they do NOT want to be faulted for in a cheeky note on their Bandcamp: “Warning, we are not responsible for any drunk texts to your ex after diving into this one.”

Featuring Brittany Byrne of Skyeline, “All Night” is a nostalgia fueled trip down memory lane brought on by missing an ex and wondering what they are up to. With Battaglia and Byrne sharing two sides to the same story, the track brings listeners along for the ride as a relationship is rehashed and the inevitable question of “what if we didn’t split up?” is pondered and the guards placed on our hearts after heartbreak are explored.

A beautiful acoustic driven anthem, “All Night” was also the last track to be released as a single prior to Party Guy‘s release and remains one of the most emotional and relatable on the album.

In the same vein, the album’s second to last track “My End,” then recounts the pre-breakup actions and pre-friendship ending decisions that have led to the present relationships one has.

Essentially the question “what if?” in a song, “My End” is an anxiety filled trip through the past that ponders how life would be different if you hadn’t said certain things, or hadn’t withheld certain thoughts. Using some of the most potent instrumentals of the album, this song’s guitar riffs are sure to get stuck in your head as you find your mind wandering to what changes you could have made to hold onto a friendship or relationship you miss.

Changing up the tone once again, the album then closes out on the angst driven, darker toned “Sex/Tape,” which is an adaptation of Battaglia’s former project Flammable Animals single “American Counterpoint.” Slowing the original track down and adding a bit of indie flair, the track allows listeners to get a taste of the Idle Wave’s more alternative and semi-grunge influence- overall showcasing that while Idle Wave may be labeled as an indie rock band, they are not pigeonholed into any one sound or structure.

An album that truly transcends any particular trend or genre, Party Guy is only the first of what we are sure are many more hard hitting releases to come.

You can stream Party Guy out now, wherever you stream music.

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