"[4] The band "worked with a bunch of different producers and had a really good connection with Alex [Aldi]", who helped craft the album and track listing in the studio.

[5] The drummer, Joey Sulkowski, and bassist, Gabe Goodman of Magic Man at the time did not record (their parts are performed by Larry Gorman and Daniel Radin, respectively).

[4] The series, commissioned by Sony for the album campaign,[7] uses long exposure to capture the movement of flares and glow sticks in tidal pools and the ocean.

Frontman Alex Caplow has a similar sweep in his voice, the kind of majestic croon that suggests it will sound perfect in stadium-size sing-alongs", later adding that, "The album puts Magic Man in the same league as other electro-leaning pop bands, from St. Lucia to Sir Sly.

"[10] Sound of Boston gave the album an 8.3 out of 10, noting that "Before the Waves thrives in a classic indie-pop space: a portrait of the best parts of youthful bliss."