PHOTO CREDIT: Kelly Hough
The Rochester trio dives into fractured perception and psychological horror as it prepares to release its first full-length record through SharpTone Records.
Rochester, New York trio Glasswaves are opening another window into the unsettling world behind their forthcoming debut album, while(True), with “SCARed” and its accompanying visualizer.
The track arrives ahead of the album’s October 23 release through SharpTone Records and introduces another piece of the psychological and science-fiction narrative running throughout the record. Glasswaves — vocalist Noah Rich, guitarist Owen Miller and bassist Brendan Curtis — use the project to connect heavier elements of their sound with alternative rock, dark pop and electronic textures.
On “SCARed,” that approach is tied directly to the song’s exploration of disorientation and the point at which memories, reality and internal thoughts become difficult to separate.
“‘SCARed’ captures that moment when your thoughts turn to static, and you can’t tell what’s real, what’s memory, or what’s just yourself unraveling,” Rich said. “From the moment Owen, our producer, and I got in the room with this song, we knew it was something special.”
That instability also fits into the larger fictional universe Glasswaves have constructed around while(True).
The album follows Liminal-Neuro, a fictional medical technology company conducting psychological experiments involving an experimental drug called “Neuro Veil.” The company’s work is presented as an attempt to address trauma, addiction and obsession, but the experiments ultimately lead to the appearance of an ancient female entity known as “The Veil.”
Within the story, The Veil takes the form of a subject’s deepest desires and uses those desires against them. Rather than ending the experiments when their consequences become clear, Liminal-Neuro’s lead doctor continues searching for the entity.
The concept gives Glasswaves a framework for examining trauma, addiction, perception and the consequences of unchecked ambition across the album’s 12 tracks.
“while(True) is our most ambitious and personal release yet,” Rich said. “Through the story of a failing medical technology company experimenting with dream manipulation, we explore themes of trauma, addiction, perception, and the unseen forces that shape the way we think.”
Rich also described the album as an important step forward in the band’s songwriting.
“More than anything, this album represents our growth as writers,” he continued. “We challenged ourselves creatively, stopped following expectations, and made the record we truly wanted to make. We can’t wait for people to experience the world of while(True) and find their own meaning within it.”
Miller has connected the fictional story to broader questions about what happens when potentially damaging developments are allowed to continue because intervening is inconvenient.
“People will see things happening and choose not to do anything, because it’s easier than taking action,” Miller said. “Developments like A.I. data centers deplete natural resources, but nobody seems to care. ‘The Veil’ represents this sort of selfishness. Even though the company Liminal Neuro promises to get rid of your fears and worries and empower you to become the person you want to be, the doctors are merely using everyone just to find ‘The Veil.’”
Formed in 2023, Glasswaves have developed their catalog through singles, an EP and touring before moving toward their first full-length album. Throughout 2026, the trio worked on while(True) with producer Justin Spaulding, with sessions taking place across Atlanta and New York alongside remote collaboration through Discord.
According to information accompanying the album announcement, the band drew from a wide range of influences during the writing process, including The Neighbourhood, Tame Impala, The Plot In You, Sace6 and Bring Me The Horizon. Those reference points reflect the stylistic range Glasswaves are bringing into the record, where heavier passages coexist with atmospheric rock, electronic production and darker pop elements.
With “SCARed,” Glasswaves are offering another look at both sides of while(True): the band’s evolving sound and the fictional narrative designed to connect the album as a larger work.
while(True) is scheduled for release October 23 through SharpTone Records.
Album Information
Artist: Glasswaves
Album: while(True)
Release Date: October 23, 2026
Label: SharpTone Records
Producer: Justin Spaulding
Track Listing
“FALSE_glow:”
“Saving[face]”
“fvck.me.up”
“Swarm.ING_”
“(D:)rive”
“doomed:2:DIE”
“<>”
“SCARed”
“hi xoxo”
“PR3SSURE”
“circling_the_drain”
“://WishIDidn’t”
Band Lineup
Noah Rich — Vocals
Owen Miller — Guitar
Brendan Curtis — Bass
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