Global band hrtz.wav (하츠웨이브) has officially made their debut with their first mini album, The First Wave on April 8. The five-member group — Riaan, Dane, Youn Young Jun, Keiten, and Hagiwa — the winners of MNET’s Steal Heart Club, each bring their own unique “frequency” to the group, coming together to create what they describe as the first wave in a previously silent world. The album captures a wide range of youthful emotions, from excitement and confusion to love and heartbreak, all expressed through the band’s distinct musical identity.
The album opens with ‘Dream,’ an upbeat, high-energy track that candidly portrays growing feelings for someone. The lead title track, ‘NINETEEN,’ is a Youth Pop Rock song built on warm synth sounds, bright guitar riffs, and driving drums, expressing an unwavering, timeless love reminiscent of the feelings of being nineteen.
‘Highlight,’ the third track, takes a more introspective turn, exploring the lingering pain of love after a breakup through a modern rock sound with a clear emotional narrative.
The second half of the album continues to explore the emotional spectrum of young love. ‘I AM SO FINE’ is a danceable, groove-heavy track with an addictive melody about pretending to be okay after a breakup while quietly missing someone. ‘어리버리’ (Clumsy) captures the nervous excitement and confusion of falling in love for the first time, wrapped in an upbeat yet dreamy atmosphere. The album closes with ‘우리만의 이야기 (Close To Me),’ a heartfelt track blending alternative guitar textures with a modern sound, symbolizing the first page of a long journey the band hopes to share with their fans.
Across all six tracks, hrtz.wav demonstrates a confident and well-rounded debut, showcasing their ability to move between energetic anthems and emotionally resonant ballads. With “The First Wave,”
hrtz.wav signals not just a debut, but the beginning of a broader musical world they intend to build — one wave at a time.
Debut showcase (ENG Subbed)
Listen to The First Wave