RightHandWave’s latest single, “Rebound Girl,” finds the Nashville band digging deeper into their well of power-pop influences while presenting something refreshingly sincere. Inspired by the 2007 Ryan Gosling film Lars and the Real Girl, the track mines themes of loneliness, unrequited affection, and the strange ways people seek connection. It’s a concept that could feel heavy-handed in lesser hands, but RightHandWave approach it with a mix of humor, warmth, and irresistible melody.
Musically, “Rebound Girl” leans into jangling guitars and stacked harmonies that recall The Raspberries, Cheap Trick, and even flashes of Rooney at their most polished. The band’s knack for melody is undeniable: the chorus lands with a rush of energy, the kind that feels both radio-ready and disarmingly intimate. It’s a throwback to an era when guitar-driven pop could be unabashedly catchy without sacrificing depth.
What sets the track apart, though, is its emotional undertow. The band captures the ache of yearning for love that feels just out of reach, balancing it with a tongue-in-cheek ode to chicken tenders and cinematic quirkiness. It’s playful yet poignant, a testament to RightHandWave’s ability to navigate contrasts without losing focus.
Following their 2024 single “Hold On,” which hinted at their ability to merge earnest songwriting with glossy hooks, “Rebound Girl” feels like a bold step forward. It positions them as heirs to the power-pop tradition, but with a distinctly modern sensibility—one that acknowledges the absurdities of contemporary life while still striving for connection.
In a world where irony often overshadows sincerity, RightHandWave manage to hold both at once. “Rebound Girl” is as catchy as it is thoughtful, a track that lingers long after the last note, reminding you of the strange, funny, and deeply human ways we look for love.
