[3] The lead single to the deluxe edition, "Girlfriend", was released on 4 August 2022 with an accompanying music video directed by TG Omori.

[4] Motolani Alake of Pulse Nigeria praised the Second Wave for showcasing Ruger’s confidence, growth, and deft songwriting, describing it as an improvement on his debut EP.

He highlighted Ruger’s ability to find pockets in beats, his clever use of sexually charged lyrics, and the standout tracks "Dior", "Useless", and "Snapchat", which he predicted could become hits with proper promotion.

"[5] In a review for Afrocritik, music critic Emmanuel Daraloye praised the deluxe edition of the Second Wave for its sharp production, well-rounded writing, and versatility in delivery.

Daraloye concluded that while the EP reinforces Ruger’s strengths, it doesn’t significantly elevate his artistry, rating it 6.5/10.