Waves On Waves , Crimewave , Waves On Waves After Dark "It Feels Good To Be. Bad"

Sounds from USA

19/01/2026 |

Waves On Waves, Crimewave, and Waves On Waves After Dark deliver a sleek, nostalgia-drenched invocation of 1980s alternative with "It Feels Good To Be Bad," a 3'27" slice of gothic-tinged new wave that wears its influences with confident flair. The track pulses with the kind of shimmering guitar arpeggios and propulsive basslines that recall A-ha's atmospheric melancholy and Duran Duran's rhythmic sophistication, while a cavernous vocal delivery channels the dramatic brood of early post-punk. Yet rather than settling into mere pastiche, the production layers these familiar textures with a modern sheen—synths swell with cinematic weight, the groove locks into an irresistible forward motion, and the chorus lands with a darkly anthemic punch that feels both vintage and freshly urgent. There's a palpable sense of romantic fatalism woven into the arrangement, perfectly aligning with the forthcoming album's title, Romantic Isolation.

What elevates the track beyond retro exercise is its commitment to mood over mimicry: the interplay between icy synths and jangling guitars creates a tension that feels authentically gothic rather than costume-party kitsch. Clocking in under four minutes, "It Feels Good To Be Bad" wastes no time luxuriating in atmosphere—it builds, peaks, and vanishes like a midnight drive through neon-lit streets, leaving behind the ghost of a melody and the thrill of transgression promised in its title. For a project clearly well-versed in synthwave's brighter palettes (as evidenced by their prolific output across related genres), this single proves their darker instincts are equally sharp, offering a concise, compelling statement that goth-tinged post-punk remains a vital language for expressing contemporary alienation.