Some debut albums sound like introductions. Sink or Swim sounds like a band arriving.
Released today, May 1st, the first full-length project from Honolulu duo Wavvy – James Shaw and Kala’i Pomroy – brings together the steady rise they’ve built over the past year and turns it into something bigger. It’s a confident, well-timed release from artists who already know who they are.
Moving naturally between island reggae, R&B, country and pop, Sink or Swim never feels like it’s trying to tick genre boxes. Instead, it feels like a true reflection of the band themselves, relaxed, melodic, soulful, and grounded in real feeling. Love, loyalty, connection, late-night tension and lived experience all run through the record without ever being overplayed.
There’s range here too. 2am in Kamuela carries warmth and simplicity, Clouded leans into emotion, while Risk It All brings a darker late-night energy. Collaborations with HIRIE, Likkle Jordee and 8RO8 add texture and reach, while keeping Wavvy firmly at the centre of the project.
The timing feels right. Over the past 12 months, Wavvy has built genuine momentum. Their Spotify audience has grown by more than 1,700%, now sitting at nearly 300,000 monthly listeners, with more than 11 million streams across their catalogue. Aotearoa has become their second biggest streaming market – a clear sign their music is connecting well beyond Hawai‘i.
What makes Sink or Swim land is its honesty. Nothing feels forced. Nothing feels rushed. It’s the sound of two artists trusting their instincts and letting the songs speak for themselves.
For Wavvy, this feels less like a first step and more like the beginning of something real.
Sink or Swim is out now on all major streaming platforms. https://precise.fm/sinkorswim