After a hiatus of more than a decade, local alternative rock act Highroad No. 28 are back with a new single, “Ache.” With its angsty lyrics and the mix of guitars and synths, it reminds me a lot of the music of cool ‘80s acts like Depeche Mode and New Order. Like the tunes of those iconic artists of the past, I know this track will stick with you.
“Ache is about emotional honesty — the pain that stays from lost love and passion, but also the strange beauty in still feeling something real,” frontman Andrew JC explained.
“Ache” is the first single from Highroad No. 28’s upcoming third album, The Will to Endure, which should drop in December. This song sets the scene for music that’s a little moodier and more mature than what we heard on past releases Unsteady and Steady State and Stumbling to Divinity. However, Highroad No. 28 hasn’t lost the powerful vocals and epic sound that makes this act so special.
Highroad No. 28 hasn’t just experienced a sonic evolution either. Once a collaborative effort with different lineups over the years, Andrew JC decided to record the new album as a solo act, playing all the instruments as well as delivering the vocals to reconnect with Highroad No. 28’s core identity. With the album in the can, he’s preparing to reveal a brand-new live lineup for shows next year. Fans have been waiting since the early 2010s for those performances, so they’re bound to be epic. Follow Highroad No. 28 on Facebook to learn about those shows as soon as they’re announced.
Image used with permission from Highroad No. 28