Flavor Wave drops new album ‘Lonely Animals’

Out of West Chester in Philadelphia, Flavor Wave have built their shared musical vision on friendship as much as on sound. The five-piece features the talents of singer and drummer Josh, vocalist Kyle Loedel, guitarists Pat and Matt and Noah on bass, a group who grew up together, connecting through music long before deciding to take it seriously.

After years of jamming under different names, they eventually landed on the moniker Flavor Wave and in August 2021 they played their first official show under that banner in their hometown. Since then, they’ve become a staple across Chester County and the wider Philadelphia area, building a loyal following drawn to their magnetic performances and exciting rock sound.

Capturing their sound in the studio, they made their entrance in the summer of 2022 with the debut single “Meet Me,” followed up by two further tracks and two EPs before their debut album, A Taste of Something Sweet, landed in April the next year. Since then, they’ve been dropping a string of singles in the build up to their latest release, their brand new sophomore full-length record titled Lonely Animals, released via the Free Dive Collective, imprint.

Produced by Tyler Ripley, the new LP finds the group fine tuning their sound while expanding their emotional impact. Across twelve tracks, the record balances funk-inflected grooves, early-2000s alternative rock textures and moments of poignancy, creating a thrilling listen that feels like a step forward for the band.

Kicked off by title track “Lonely Animals,” the record opens with a reflection on reconnecting with your true self through music when ensnared in life’s chaos. Josh explains, “Sometimes it can be hard to balance the different aspects of your life—work, relationships, your goals. It can cloud your mind. But when I’m under the lights playing music to a crowd and getting into my groove, I feel like myself again.” Built on lively rhythms and bright guitar tones, airy guitar flutters and grooving bass lines underpin smooth vocal leads to craft a catchy pop rock outing packed full of invigorating energy and instantly memorable hooks.

“Outlaws” brings a bouncy groove of shuffling drums and intricate staccato guitar work capped by delicate vocals before bursting into a charging rock scene. With slick rise and fall cut with superb instrumental performance, it’s a funk-tinged jam that puts the band’s compelling songwriting and musicianship panache on full dispay.

With “Outta Control,” the steady punch of drums and stabs of lightly crunchy guitars form subtly jumpy energy as the expressive vocal leads glide in to spin profound storytelling lyricism via infectious melodic lines. Tracks like “Deeper” pairs mellow and emotive verses with moments of dreamy rhythm switch ups with funky choruses to form an easygoing groove that shows the band’s knack for balancing atmosphere and memorable songwriting.

“Drama Queen” sees the group play with structure to reflect inner conflict, pairing gentle vocals with colourful indie vibes. “Sad Songs on the Radio” captures the more emotive side of the band’s sound with an elegant outing that blends softly plucked guitar notes, rustling drums and graceful vocal layers, filtering their animated rock energy through a subtly melancholic lens.

“The Optimist” offers a breezy soundscape of laid back rhythm, shimmering guitar flickers and hushed vocals before closing track “The Weight” crafts an engaging scene of melodic indie rock. Soothing rhythmic sway, piquant guitar tones and charming vocal leads combine to craft an unhurried sound before swelling to an anthemic finale of fuzzy guitar tones, dancing leads and splashy drums. With their second full-length, Flavor Wave have delivered a record that’s original, timeless and truly enjoyable all at once and we can’t wait to see what comes next from this incredible band that continues to go from strength to strength with each move.

Commenting on the album, lead singer and drummer Josh shares, “Our sophomore album is a project that I can best describe as an emotional and stylistic evolution of our sound. The theme of this album has to do with our identity—who we are, and who we think we are. Sometimes I felt like I didn’t know what title I was meant for, but every time I hit the stage and the music started playing, there was no doubt in my mind who I was.”

Listen to Lonely Animals below