Surf Instrumental Review: I. Jeziak and The Surfers-Self-Titled

Surf Snapshot

🌊 Style: Traditional Surf Instro / Cinematic "Baltic Surf"

💿 Record Label: Hi-Tide Recordings (Release: August 22, 2025)

🎸 The Drip: Precision twang, rolling basslines, and retro Farfisa organ notes

🇵🇱 Hometown: Baltic Coast, Poland

Reverb, Farfisa, and Baltic Drip: I. Jeziak and The Surfers Deliver a Cinematic Classic in Traditional Surf Rock

I. Jeziak and The Surfers, formed in 2023 on Poland’s Baltic coast, quickly rose in the global surf rock revival. Starting with 1960s covers, they soon wrote their own cinematic instrumentals, blending vintage gear and a unique “Baltic surf” sound. Their style earned them a Hi-Tide Recordings deal in 2025, a self-titled 18-track debut album, and international tours.

16 of the 18 tracks are under three minutes, and all of those fall within the typical surf instro time span of 2 minutes or more.

“Pajama Party” kicks off with a hoot from a band member and strong bass, drums, and saxophone. You get instantly transported back to the roots of the first wave, and the cover also intimates that era nicely.

“Surfers’ Stomp” pays homage to the legendary King of Surf, Dick Dale. The twang and reverb resonate through your speakers as the bass and drums let the guitar jump out front to take the spotlight, and rightly so, the playing is fantastic. The tremolo rules here!

“Mummy Walk” starts with the Farfisa organ, a perfect sound for retro-horror surf, and the guitar is sublime, with beautiful notes flowing over the organ’s patented tones. Then the guitar comes in with a tremolo run to wind it up.

“The Breeze” is full of drip, the bass is rock-solid, and the drums keep time nicely and are restrained, allowing the guitars to take the floor. It really does shape up like a cool sea breeze on a sunny day.

“Maze” is a sci-fi thrill ride, and that evil laugh tells the story as the music creates the atmosphere for it (or should I say, high tide?). The guitar’s rapid picking sets the pace, then the cymbals crash, and the evil laugh continues, only to end abruptly.

“Cheater” rolls along with some interesting transitions, kind of like changing the record from 45 to 33 rpm, then back again. Lots of changes for a track under two minutes!

“Childhood” feels light-hearted and airy, with a restrained bottom end and tasteful, surfy guitar notes giving it a laid-back day-at-the-beach feel. It ends with some nice echo effects on the guitar.

“Along the Coast” features a rolling bass line, like a cruise down Highway 1 in California, you can feel the ocean waves hitting the beach. This is traditional surf at its very best. Twang rules!

“Free As the Ocean” starts with those sounds we all love to hear, whether you’re a surfer or just like being on the beach catching some rays. I felt like I was reaching back into my classic surf collection and listening to all the greats that launched this fascinating genre. A few passages have a Western feel to them as well.

“Night Owls” picks up the pace as the bass and drums turn up a notch, without muddying the guitar. That sound is so distinct and recognizable if you are a surf instro fan. Superb twang, reverb, and organ notes come in briefly for that little extra flavor.

“Restless Sea” has an excellent blend of rhythms that slow down and then speed up, showcasing the lead guitar’s transition prowess. The walking bass line leads the track out nicely.

“Ice Cream Truck” kicks the energy level up right at the start and doesn’t let up. Nostalgia permeates the notes you are hearing. The driving rhythm section, with a strong rhythm guitar and lead, followed by tinkling piano, gives this one an entirely different atmosphere than the previous tracks.

“Arabesque” is one of those classic tracks many surf bands love to cover. There is a reason for that; it’s a great way to highlight each band member’s skills. And that is exactly what you hear, as all positions fire away with accuracy, hitting the bullseye with an energetic and colorful cover!

“Detective” is a big change of pace and transition from the previous track. The bass is huge here, and the drums certainly know how to drive this train, subtly or otherwise; they always seem to fit perfectly on each track. Spy vs Spy? It gives off that vibe beautifully, especially when the organ adds its color.

“Voyager” brings back the precision twang, with the bass again standing out front. What I appreciate is the mixdown; any instrument can stand out without taking away from the others. Very atmospheric with a clean rhythm from the bass and drums.

“Under the Wave,” ok, here we go! Now, this sound has the perfect blend of surf and rock, with a strong pace that then backs down to accentuate the organ in the background. Bass and drums are a juggernaut here, and the guitars are superbly rendered when they need to rock or become subdued, depending on the transitions. When I first heard this kind of sound years ago, it blew me away, and I wanted more. They have it down perfectly.

“Unity with Nature” once again changes the pace entirely, focusing on their all-around talents and diversity. This one is a slow burner, a low tide wave that lures you into the water. Nicely done with elegant notes from the guitars and a soft rhythm section behind them.

“Phantom” closes out that fabulous mixture of traditional surf instro. The organ is the featured instrument, which matches the title perfectly, and when the guitar comes in with its effects, it just adds to the “mystery” atmosphere.

Eighteen tracks may sound like a lot, but with these concise surf instrumentals, the album feels cohesive and never overstays its welcome. I. Jeziak and The Surfers seamlessly navigate a range of sub-genres, packing impressive variety and skill into every brief song (the stamp of this genre). Their ability to deliver so much in such a short format is a testament to their remarkable musicianship and the very reason they have achieved international prominence. For anyone curious about the roots of the surf sound, this album is a perfect place to dive in.

The Band:

Igor Jeziak – Lead Guitar, Saxophone, Vocals (Primary Composer/Producer)

Szymon Podgrodzki – Rhythm Guitar, Vocals

Sławek Nowak – Bass

Kacper Kwiatkowski – Drums

Łukasz Domański – Organ

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder

June 5, 2026

📜 FROM THE VAULT Surf Instrumental Review: The Babalooneys-Goin' For It!

Originally Published: June 2026