Johan Hoffman’s latest single, “Waves,” shines through bare-boned honesty. Constructed solely with voice and guitar, with a cameo by the tiniest lick of Moog, this track is at once intimate and cosmic, the kind of song that pulls you in even as it points your gaze far away. “Waves” is raw and live and the fine magic of renewed real-time performance. The simplicity is rhythmic, not rushed or mechanical, but genuine.
“Waves” existed as an instrumental work, mysterious and whole in its essence, until the lyrics came to clarify its significance more distinctly. The lines are semi-philosophical musings, pondering the vastness of the universe, the riddles of life, and the ties of affection we sometimes cannot put into words. In the chorus that flips almost meditatively, a repetition, too, to practice right here in this moment and its not-knowing. A combination of search and find, swirling thoughts and grounded feelings.
“Waves” is a melting pot of indie rock, dream pop, alternative, psychedelic rock, and cinematic soundscapes. This is music for after the hour of night when silence covers the world, for riding hours without any bounds by us, when we are given the choice to dive into our consciousness and get amazed at all, or instead fall on our knees perplexed. The hypnotic nature of the track makes it equally suitable for chill, atmospheric playlists and those intended for moments of introspection and deep breathing.
The third single from Hoffman’s upcoming album, “Day One,” due out on October 3, “Waves” paints a picture of a record that takes pauses and lets sound ring out. It is not a song that commands attention with volume or flash, but instead earns it through substance, complexity, and sincerity. “Waves” gives the feel, but beyond sound, he wishes you think while floating. It is a muted victory, the kind that echoes long into the future.
Connect with Johan Hoffman on Instagram – @johanhoffman_
