Riding the Sonic Waves: A Celebration of Sys Malakian’s Surf Instrumentals
Release Date: August 7, 2026
Sys Malakian is one of the world's most active surf instrumental artists. He also consistently posts on social media and promotes other artists in the genre, making him a true ambassador for the community.
The compilation, carefully curated by Madison Mead (Another Wave Records), features the best of Sys Malakian, including all the bands he plays with, plus new tracks available only on vinyl.
Greatest Hits is long overdue for this incredibly talented guitar maestro. Eighteen tracks seem like a lot of music at first blush; however, if you look at the run times, well, that is the reason they pile up so fast. Typically, the most impactful surf intro tunes that pack a punch run 2 to 3 minutes. You will notice while listening that the segue into the next track is a matter of a few seconds, so again, it moves along very quickly. Even more reasons to include the 18 tracks!
The eye-catching artwork fits by Carmen O’Donell the genre well, with its retro “The Jetsons” era motif. That is the cartoon that came to mind right away for me. Artwork is essential for this community's recordings; it has always gone hand in hand.
“Aguas Locas” gets things rolling along. Lots of immediate rhythms and some sweet picking from Sys. Tremolo and resonating notes seem to fly off his guitar seamlessly. The bass and drums are solid, following his transitions on the six-string, which range from the slower, easygoing tempos to more upbeat, moving sections. Multihued colors and textures indicate a complete recording in one track.
“Infinite Space” has a refined retro feel. The intricacies of the guitar are on display here and transport you into the first wave of surf. This really does show the “space” in one composition and how many changes can be packed into it.
“Megalodón” brings up the level considerably again, and in just under two minutes, Sys shows why he is one of the most admired musicians in the community. His guitar is like a fully loaded gun going off non-stop with surges of explosive, yet tasteful energy.
“La Canción Del Bichiberto” features Sys adding his Latino influences to the mix. The surf tank is hard at work, with reverb and tremolo standing out in grand style. The low and high ends are full of color and energy. Great rhythms make it a real toe-tapper.
“La Última Ola,” translated as “The Last Wave,” starts with some real twangy string bending and retro organ sounds. It’s a flat-out rocker with uber energy, and Sys cuts loose with all the atmosphere and power this track can pack. The best part? It lasts 3:37, wowzah!
“Salvaje” means “Wild,” and is it ever? That crazy energy from the last track continues here with lyrics this time. It has a real horror feel, with crushing bass and drums, on-fire guitar, and a wailing organ grinding along. It felt like I should be watching the midnight “Creature Feature.” Craziest track yet!
“Brebaje De Amor” is “Love Brew.” So, as the title suggests, it changes direction dramatically from the previous tracks, and it's all in Spanish. The music has a surf-rock retro twang and sounds like it could be playing on a Mexican radio station circa 1960. It's “Love Potion #9,” and many people will notice that straight away.
“Dear Future Husband” keeps the variety going. It returns to first-wave rhythms and guitar, with a sweet melody as the organ adds color and atmosphere, bringing it to a close.
“Campana Sobre Campana” (Bell Upon Bell) has a catchy rhythm, with Sys once again providing the guitar resonance needed for the best retro effect, plus occasional booming slides down the fretboard. In the tank, the sound is spot on again.
“La Pacheca” (the weed one or the high one) has a tiki-island vibe with the organ and percussion. The bass carries things along nicely here as well.
“High Waves” reverts to the go-to transitory retro tremolo guitar sound. The tempo is constant and rewarding as the six-string goes through some impressive movements.
“Rockslide Rumble” lives up to its name with an immediate rumbling bass line and sharp guitar lines with a harder edge than previous tracks. The organ is superb and as usual, a great addition. This was one of my favorites, with wordless vocals intermingled to enhance the retro feel. This man kills it on guitar!
“12:51” is quite different from the rest, but not a surprise to me, as I learned early on from the compilation that this is all about Sys's eclectic artistry and how many facets of the genre there are to explore. Driving bass and drums, with an echoing, effects-laden guitar, give you yet another slice of the big pie surf instro offers.
“Mar Adentro” (Out to Sea) goes into high gear immediately, and the melodies and rhythms are strong as well, with the patented tremolo (do we ever get enough of that?). High-flying guitar runs are this man’s trademark.
“Come And Get It” explodes into a wall of surf rock sounds. This is a great example of how Sys does that while staying true to his love and respect for the first wave of surf intro and still rocking out with plenty of transitions to keep your attention. Twang and reverb rule!
“Forastero” (Outsider) brings back the shimmering beach sound. Now something new is added: a trumpet (à la Herb Alpert sound). Sys’ Mexico roots are shining here with delight. I always love the trumpet added to this music; it makes you feel like the bullfight may be right around the corner! An excellent, diverse selection continues the variety of playing styles, and as it nears the end, it adds a Spaghetti Western flair!
“Nondum Me Amat” (he/she still doesn’t love me) features a great walking bass line and a driving yet restrained drum section with soft cymbals. The tremolo here is outstanding! Very tasteful and intricate, with a great rhythm guitar as well; then the Farfisa organ arrives for the extra ingredient, like the cherry on top of the musical sundae.
“Viajes Tributarios” (Tax Travel) closes out this amazing compilation with a tasty rhythmic foundation spiced with superb guitar runs with high and low points. The bass end is fat while the higher end is piercing and precise. And of course, that organ again, the finishing touch, fades it out.
Greatest Hits is a vibrant journey through Sys Malakian’s diverse catalog, showcasing his genius across the surf instrumental landscape. Each track offers a fresh perspective, revealing new nuances and keeping listeners engaged from start to finish. Guitar aficionados will discover an array of captivating sounds, while surf music enthusiasts will find this compilation a celebration of the genre’s spirit. Dive in and experience the high waves and boundless creativity that Sys brings to every note.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck,
Surf Music and Art Founder
September 10, 2026
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