Alternative Rock from Highroad No. 28

Taking share in Melbourne’s heavy rock scene in the late 90s, Highroad No. 28 have long manifested the spirit of determination in Australia’s alternative music sphere. Formed in 1998, the band were quick to establish a name that came to represent emotional honesty, artistic curiosity and a steadfast mission to creative development. Their music has always offered a reflection of life and experience, from the bruised moments to the defiant and ultimately hopeful. Over the decades, they’ve moved through phases of intensity and contemplation, crafting a discography that feels like a document of survival.

The 1999 debut EP Obscure Madness hinted at their fascination with darkness and deep context, while three years later, Dynamic Introspection built on that vision with a heightened focus on emotional exploration. By the time their first full-length album Unsteady and Steady State arrived in 2006, Highroad No. 28 had earned their stripes as one of Melbourne’s most compelling alternative acts. Touring relentlessly over the following couple of years, they earned a reputation for live performances that balanced energy with musicianship flair, gaining a devoted following across Australia while reaching listeners abroad with their studio output.

Their 2008 record Stumbling to Divinity presented a release that distilled everything they’d learned from years on the road into something simultaneously heavy and human. It confirmed their place in the broader alternative rock conversation but after this peak, the band entered what they describe as a “hibernation period.” From more than a decade, Highroad No. 28’s presence was mostly felt through occasional resurfaced demos and reworked recordings, leaving fans to wonder if the story had quietly reached its end.

However, this year Highroad No. 28 are returning with The Will to Endure, their long-awaited third album and last month they broke their silence with the record’s first single, “Ache,” reintroducing the band with a sound that was darker and more cinematic than ever before. Their latest release comes with the album’s second single titled “Thistroubledsoul,” a song which expands that emotional sonic fabric even further. Distributed globally via Sony Music’s The Orchard, the single is an epic piece of alternative rock that channels a gripping melodic intensity throughout. Frontman Andrew JC took complete creative control for this release, performing all instruments and vocals in what he describes as a personal chapter before the band’s new live lineup arrives for 2026 shows.

Kicked off by the twang of angular guitar notes as the uptempo punch of lively drums injects a driving forward motion, the smokey brush of hazy guitar chords ushers in Andrew’s compelling vocal leads. Spinning memorable melodies above the crunching arrangement, the chorus lands with a delicate soundscape of intricate guitar notes and smooth melodic lines carrying poignant lyricism to cast a rousing pop-tinged alternative rock experience.

Developing with the bright twinkle of spacey synth textures which bubble above the rock instrumentation, “Thistroubledsoul” delivers a stunning listening experience wrapped in a cinematic atmosphere. After years of silence, Highroad No. 28 have made a spectacular return to the music world and with their highly anticipated third record on the way, they’re set to resume their musical story with what’s sure to be a sensational LP.

Listen to Thistroubledsoul below

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