The Rise of Hurtwave: Synths, Sadness, and Style
If you’ve ever driven alone at night with tears threatening to fog up your vintage sunglasses, chances are you’ve already crossed paths with Hurtwave. And if not—well, buckle up, because you’re about to meet your new favorite soundtrack for emotional spirals and moody mirror selfies.
Born in the sun-bleached streets of Orange County in 2020 (ironic, right? Sunshine and synths rarely match the emotional downpour Hurtwave offers), this passion project began as a collaboration between Dayseeker’s velvet-voiced frontman Rory Rodriguez and drummer/producer Mike Karle. Think of them as the musical equivalent of crying in the club—but with better lighting and more atmospheric reverb.
At a glance, Hurtwave might sound like another broody side project. But spend five seconds with Night Therapy I, their 7-track debut EP, and you’ll realize this isn't some half-hearted moonlight venture. It’s a full-bodied, synth-drenched, neon-tinged therapy session wrapped in layers of ‘80s nostalgia and lyrics that hurt just the right way.
So what exactly is Hurtwave?
Let’s paint a picture.
Imagine if The 1975 took a sad nap with The Midnight, and when they woke up, they wrote poetry about their parents, their exes, and their existential crises—all while wrapped in glowing synths. That’s Hurtwave.
Their music lives in this emotional limbo where you feel both too much and not enough. It’s late-night text drafts, it’s scrolling old messages, it’s the subtle ache of knowing something ended before it really had a chance to begin.
But it’s not all tears on vinyl—there’s a real sonic polish here. Hurtwave’s sound is synthwave done right:
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Drum machines that throb like an anxious heartbeat
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Retro pads that shimmer like the ocean under streetlights
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Guitars that are soft enough to whisper but sharp enough to stab
And of course, there’s Rory’s voice—gravelly, emotional, and almost too honest. It’s what makes Hurtwave feel less like music and more like a confession booth in a vaporwave cathedral.
The EP That Started It All
Night Therapy I dropped on vinyl on June 26, 2021—and let’s be honest, that record has feelings. Produced by Daniel Braunstein (known for working with acts like Spiritbox and Dayseeker), the 7-track collection doesn’t just introduce Hurtwave; it defines it.
Let’s break down the emotional chaos, shall we?
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Sever – An opener that immediately feels like a heartbreak you didn’t see coming. Big synths, bigger pain.
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Bleach – Equal parts nostalgia and emotional purging. Surprisingly catchy for a song about emotional numbness.
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Fever Dream – The title says it all. Drenched in reverb and surreal melancholy.
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My Father Said – One of the most vulnerable tracks. A raw dive into family, grief, and generational trauma.
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New Year’s Eve (feat. Seneca) – A duet for everyone who’s ever spent a midnight countdown alone.
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Black and Blue – Dark, dreamy, and introspective. Pairs well with low lighting and unresolved feelings.
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Overdose (feat. Landon Tewers) – Possibly the most aggressive track on the EP, both lyrically and sonically. Hits hard.
This wasn’t just a “side gig” for Rory. It was therapy, confession, and creation all at once. Each track sounds like a page ripped from a diary you weren’t supposed to read, but you’re glad you did.
The Evolution of Hurtwave
Fast-forward to 2024 and things took a twist. Mike Karle exited the project, and Hurtwave transformed from a duo into a solo outlet for Rory Rodriguez. Now flying solo, Rory continues to evolve the sound into even moodier, more introspective territory—without losing the sleek retro flair that made Hurtwave such a standout.
The label also shifted. After starting under Spinefarm Records, Rory took the indie route and signed with Many Hats, a move that seems to fit the raw, more personal direction Hurtwave is heading. Major label polish is great, but sometimes you need a little grain in the photo to feel the moment, right?
New Singles, New Sadness
2024 brought us two new singles that are perfect companions for candle-lit sulking:
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Satin Sheets – A haunting, almost seductive track that wraps heartbreak in silk.
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Bliss in Misery – Classic Hurtwave: the agony and the ecstasy in one beautifully tortured package.
Both tracks are evidence that even as the project evolves, the emotional DNA stays consistent: poetic, lush, and tinged with pain.
And Hey, Speaking of Retro Vibes…
If you’ve ever thought, "Man, I want to feel this sad, but also look like I walked out of an '80s movie where I’m the misunderstood lead with a denim jacket and sunglasses at night", well—we feel you. And so does Newretro.Net.
We’re kind of the clothing equivalent of a Hurtwave song: moody, nostalgic, but sharp as hell. Our retro-styled leather and denim jackets? Perfect for late-night drives and existential crises. Our VHS-inspired sneakers? They’ll take you straight back to the mall arcades and neon dreams. And yes—we have retro shades that’ll block out the sun and your emotions.
We’re not saying Rory shops with us (but if you’re reading this, Rory, we got you). We’re just saying Hurtwave and Newretro could easily share a closet.
…Back into the Neon Abyss: The Next Phase of Hurtwave
So you’ve cried to Bleach, slow-danced in your bedroom to Satin Sheets, and maybe even posted a cryptic Instagram story with the lyrics from My Father Said—we don’t judge. Now it’s time to dive deeper into the ever-evolving saga of Hurtwave.
With Mike Karle stepping away in 2024 and Rory Rodriguez taking full creative control, Hurtwave has become something even more intimate. It’s like watching your favorite brooding indie film character get their own spinoff, only now they’ve got a synthwave score and a whole lot more emotional baggage.
And look—we need to talk about Rory.
This man is a walking heartbreak soundtrack. Already known for pouring raw vulnerability into Dayseeker, Rory’s work in Hurtwave feels even more exposed. Where Dayseeker might take you to the peak of emotional catharsis with soaring post-hardcore anthems, Hurtwave walks you into the quiet after the storm. The cold air. The echo of what was said. The memory you wish you could delete—but don’t. Because, let’s be honest, the pain kind of adds to the aesthetic.
No Tours, No Problem
Now here’s the weird part—Hurtwave has never toured. No opening acts, no neon-drenched stage lights, no sad crowds waving glow sticks. It’s a purely studio project. And yet, the connection listeners have with Hurtwave feels just as powerful, if not more, than some touring acts who’ve spent years on the road.
Why does that work? Because Hurtwave is cinematic. It was made to live in your headphones, in your bedroom, on your rainy walks and midnight drives. It’s music for main-character moments, not for mosh pits (though, we’re sure a few fans have lightly sobbed in a crowd somewhere listening to “Fever Dream”).
The absence of live shows almost adds to the mystique. It makes Hurtwave feel like a secret—a special thing you don’t have to share with thousands of screaming fans. Just you, Rory, and a bunch of ghostly synths.
2024’s Mood Update: ‘Satin Sheets’ & ‘Bliss in Misery’
Released in September 2024, Satin Sheets and Bliss in Misery show a new, more refined chapter in Hurtwave’s evolution. These aren’t just “new singles.” They’re artistic statements. Emotional progress reports. And, if we’re being dramatic (which we are), little audio postcards from the edge of a breakdown.
Let’s unpack them briefly:
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Satin Sheets feels like waking up next to a memory. There's a touch of seduction in the production—smooth bass lines, sultry synths, but still very much drenched in regret. Rory whispers like he’s not sure he should be saying it out loud. It’s intoxicating.
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Bliss in Misery is an anthem for the emotionally complicated. Ever feel strangely comfortable in your sadness? This song gets you. It’s not trying to pull you out of your darkness—it’s holding your hand and walking you through it, one nostalgic beat at a time.
The production across both tracks is next-level. Crisp, lush, perfectly balanced between analog warmth and digital precision. It’s synthwave for people who have feelings and good taste.
The Many Hats Era
Moving to Many Hats—an indie label—was a quietly brilliant move. No longer beholden to a big label’s pressure, Rory gets to make music that’s as honest as it is experimental. There’s a DIY charm to this new chapter, and it’s clear that freedom looks good on Hurtwave.
More synths? Sure. More emotional lyricism? Absolutely. More space to get weird and wonderful? Please and thank you.
Plus, you get the sense that Rory’s not doing this for chart success or arena tours. He’s doing it because he has to. Hurtwave is expression in its purest form—uncensored, unfiltered, and unapologetically moody.
So, Who Really Listens to Hurtwave?
If you’ve ever asked yourself questions like:
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“Why do I feel nostalgic for a time I never lived in?”
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“Can a song make me cry and vibe at the same time?”
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“Is it weird that I romanticize emotional devastation?”
…congrats, you’re in the Hurtwave club.
It’s music for people who like their heartbreak with a synth soundtrack and their sadness wrapped in neon. And yeah, it might be a little dramatic. But who isn’t, at least a little?
Whether you’re a longtime fan of synthwave or just stumbled across Hurtwave during a 2AM doomscroll, it’s easy to get hooked. Because beyond the aesthetic—past the VHS-core vibes and slow-burning beats—there’s something deeply human in every track.
One More Thing (Because You Deserve to Look as Cool as You Feel)
Let’s say you’re listening to Overdose on vinyl, cigarette burning in a retro ashtray (for the aesthetic only, of course), staring out your apartment window like you’re in a music video. What’s missing?
The outfit.
Slide into something that matches the soundtrack. At Newretro.Net, we’ve curated fits for the kind of moments Hurtwave makes you feel. Our retro denim jackets scream misunderstood cool. Our 80s-style sneakers? Basically the footwear equivalent of “Black and Blue.” And the sunglasses? Well, sometimes you gotta block the world out, even if it’s midnight.
Style is a form of self-expression. So why not wear the vibe that Hurtwave gives you? Nostalgic, emotional, timeless.
The Final Word (For Now)
Hurtwave might not have the largest discography, the biggest tours, or the flashiest press coverage. But that’s kind of the point. It’s quiet. It’s personal. It sneaks up on you—and before you know it, you’re crying to synths and wondering how a side project hit you harder than most full-length careers.
Rory Rodriguez has created something rare with Hurtwave: a sound that feels like memory, heartbreak, and healing—all at once. And while we wait for the next sonic installment (you know it's coming), we’ll be here, watching the sunset through a grainy VHS filter, wearing our best retro threads, and letting the music do what it does best—hurt beautifully.
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