Wasted Summer marks the fourth full-length album from Cydeways, a Santa Barbara-based band known for their laid-back reggae grooves fused with alternative rock and pop-punk energy. Since signing with LAW Records in 2018, they’ve built a signature sound that’s both smooth and energized.
This album invites you in with calm confidence and undeniable style.
Familiar Faces, Fresh Context
If parts of this project already feel familiar, that’s because they do. “Lockdown” featuring Matisyahu was released in 2023 and still holds weight as one of the record’s anchor points.
The title track “Wasted Summer” landed last summer and helped shape the mood—a reflective, slow-burn groove that hinted at what the full record would become. With its breezy guitar line and bittersweet vibe, it set the pace and still hits with that late-summer feeling the band does so well.
Standouts That Land
Among the newly released tracks, “Closure” slows things down and strips them back—vulnerable and unpolished in a way that works. “Carousel” is brighter and more open, with a vibe that feels nostalgic without leaning too far into sentiment.
Both feel like the kind of songs you come back to without realizing it.
“Lockdown” (feat. Matisyahu)
Built on a thick dub groove, “Lockdown” delivers one of the album’s most powerful moments. It doesn’t move fast, but moves with intention. Matisyahu’s verse brings a grounded, reflective energy that anchors the whole track. It doesn’t try to steal the spotlight; it just locks in.
“Change” (feat. Wax)
“Change,” which arrived just ahead of the album release, floats a little higher. Wax brings smooth, clever bars that slide perfectly into the beat without weighing it down. The bounce is light, the vibe is familiar, and the whole track feels easy in the best way. One of the most fun, replay-worthy moments on the record.
Steady Vibes
Cydeways stays true to their sound, delivering a solid, authentic listen. If you’ve been riding with Cydeways, this album will feel like another well-earned step forward. If you’re just jumping in, it’s an easy way to get familiar.
Either way, it sounds like a band that’s exactly where they’re supposed to be.
