Have you ever heard a track that feels like a punch to the soul and a slow-burn therapy session all at once? That’s exactly what Nashville-based CS Hellmann has done with “Waves Waves,” a moody, blues-soaked alt-rock journey that hits hard, drips with grit, and leaves you wondering what the hell just ran over your emotions.

Released May 8, 2025, and tracked at Polychrome Ranch (a cabin studio nestled in the Tennessee mountains), this single marks a pivotal moment for Hellmann, who’s clearly stepping into his own sonic identity. This isn’t some overproduced alt-pop polish job. This is raw and real.

“Waves Waves” doesn’t tiptoe in — it detonates in the first few seconds. The intro is all distorted swagger, heavy on riff, and unapologetically intense. It feels like something between Trent Reznor's broodiness, Marilyn Manson’s menace, and Arctic Monkeys’ riff-driven cool—but still manages to be completely its own animal. There's even a dreamy Radiohead-style pre-chorus that floats in just long enough to let you breathe before dragging you back into the depths.

This isn’t a breakup song. It’s not a love song. It’s more of a consciousness-on-fire song—Hellmann has described it as a kind of inner war between the subconscious and conscious self. Those are often the best songs, and this one absolutely falls into that category.

“Waves, waves rolling on you, they’re rolling on me”

Simple. Hypnotic. And weirdly devastating. It plants itself in your brain and starts growing roots.

Hellmann doesn’t just play guitar. He commands it. There’s a spontaneous energy to the recording—probably because many of the guitar parts were recorded in single takes, including a deliciously dirty mid-track solo that feels completely earned, not forced. There’s real musicianship here, but it’s wrapped in just enough chaos to keep it punk.

The track was finished on a Tascam 388, giving it a warm, analog dustiness that makes the song feel like it was unearthed from a vault labeled “haunted classics.” Combine that with producer Jared Corder’s intimate touch, and the whole thing pulses with a cabin-in-the-woods-meets-late-night-city vibe.

There’s also a second track on the release — “Parallel Universe.” It’s gentler, more celestial, and balances out the stormy intensity of “Waves Waves.” Same themes, totally different energy. Where “Waves” is the thunder, “Parallel Universe” is the soft glow after the downpour. It shows CS Hellmann isn’t just a one-mode artist—he’s got range and knows how to wield it.

This is not background music. “Waves Waves” is a cinematic, head-tripping, emotionally charged gut-check of a track. It’ll please the alt-rock crowd, but also hits that sweet spot for fans of blues, indie grit, and dark-wave introspection. If you’re into artists who aren’t afraid to go deep and let their demons dance, Hellmann’s got you.

With upcoming shows in Nashville (June 11 at Joelton Hardware, June 17 at The Basement, and a Lightning 100 broadcast at 3rd & Lindsley on Sept 14), there’s no better time to see this sound come alive.

If this is what CS Hellmann sounds like at the beginning of his journey, the waves he's stirring up now are just the beginning of something massive.

“Waves Waves” & “Parallel Universe” are available now on all major streaming platforms

Listen to CS Hellmann and other similar artists on our Spotify Playlist ‘New Music Spotlight - Indie & Alternative’

“Waves Waves” - CS Hellmann

Exclusive Interview - Krissy Adaluz

“Walls” - /somnolence./