AUSTIN – Holy Wave has released “s33.u.in/HAL,” the lead single from their upcoming album, signaling a refined approach to their established psychedelic sound.
Austin, Texas-based psychedelic rock band Holy Wave has announced their new album, i’m DADA, set for release on July 10, 2026, via Suicide Squeeze Records. The lead single, “s33.u.in/HAL,” precedes the full-length, which was recorded in Ensenada, coastal Mexico. This marks a shift in perspective for the band, who have been active in the Austin scene for over a decade.
The album sessions in Mexico involved experimental duo Lorelle Meets the Obsolete and mixing engineer Joo Joo Ashworth, who helped shape the rhythmic language. i’m DADA explores themes like fatherhood, partnership, breakups, estrangement, and the “queasy acceleration of AI,” reflecting a more grounded and structurally deliberate sound for the quartet.
A Psychedelic Plea to a Digital Deity
Holy Wave’s “s33.u.in/HAL,” a lead single from their album i’m DADA, critiques societal superficiality and friction, observing cosmetic alterations and perceived divisions. Vocalist Ryan Fuson describes the track as “a prayer to the God of shortcomings, a child God that we are raising to one day be our savior.” This transforms the digital query “Can you help me Hal?” into a human appeal for guidance amidst the “queasy acceleration of AI” and an unpredictable world, as explored in the meaning behind “s33.u.in/HAL” by Holy Wave.
The song further examines the relentless passage of time and the futility of escaping harsh realities. Lyrics dismiss superficial remedies, whether through wealth or restrictive diets, as inadequate responses to life’s inevitable challenges. This highlights a resignation to unvarnished truth, where attempts to “make believe” are ultimately futile, with storm clouds metaphorically representing escalating foreboding. The intensified chorus repetition solidifies the song’s core existential plea.
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