Highroad No. 28 Returns with The Will to Endure

The following feature is now included in our online magazine which is also available in print.

Issue #10

It is not an easy feat for any band to walk the tightrope of intensity and vulnerability while also conveying the level of emotional connection that Highroad No. 28 has been able to deliver for over two decades. Formed in the Australian heavy rock scene in the late 1990s, the band made an immediate statement of intent with early EPs such as Obscure Madness and Dynamic Introspection, which, while not shying away from anguish and despair, also hinted at the band’s unyielding determination. This sense of grit and resilience has always been an integral component of the band’s sound, even in the early days, as the tension between despair and the glimmer of hope has been the defining feature of the band’s music.

Their debut album, *Unsteady and Steady State*, released in 2005, saw the band fine-tune their sound, expanding the range of the band while still retaining the heavy textures, rhythms, and melodies for which the band had become known. This was an evolution for the band, but one that still retained the core essence of the band’s character, as the album still had the sense of despair and determination for which the band had become known.

*Stumbling to Divinity*, released in 2008, was the result of an intense period of touring and writing for the band. This album saw the band incorporate ambient electronica into the mix, while retaining the alternative rock and heavy textures for which the band had become known. While the band’s sound had evolved, the album’s narrative still had the sense of perseverance, as the band explored the path through the darkness into the light. This might remind some of the brooding, emotive textures of early Radiohead, the atmospheric tension of Jeff Buckley, or the alternative rock of Placebo, all filtered through the Australian experience.

After their long hibernation between 2012 and 2024, Highroad No. 28 is back with an agenda that feels almost intimate, with their frontman Andrew JC doing everything himself on this latest batch of songs. It feels like this intense bout of creativity has paid off, with their long-awaited third record, *The Will to Endure*, dropping on December 29, 2025. The record comes with lead singles "Ache," "Thistroubledsoul," and "C.Esp." It’s clear this record is their darkest yet, with more layers than ever before, but most importantly, an unflinching honesty to how each song builds tension, how each song balances melody and noise, and how each song captures moments of human connection in their most fleeting and ephemeral moments.

Songs like "Likethelast" are some of the standouts on this record, and they showcase exactly what this record is about. It’s a song that captures intimacy and uncertainty in equal measure, with Andrew JC singing about love without any guarantees, and how these threads of connection are what bring people together. The instrumentation is simple yet precise, with Andrew JC’s vocals taking center stage, while some electronic touches create an ethereal atmosphere that stays with you long after the song is over. With this record, there’s an invitation to feel the weight of loss and the empowerment of endurance, to feel like there’s still movement forward, even in darkness.

The course of Highroad No. 28’s history is not only one that resonates with fans of alternative rock and indie experimentalism, but with anyone interested in music that explores emotion in a meaningful way. Fans of the darker introspection of early Interpol, the melodic tension of The National, or the sweeping atmospheric explorations of Editors are sure to find much to engage them in this record. And then there is the cinematic quality of this record that should appeal to fans of soundtracks that are as much about evoking mood as they are about evoking melody. Requiem for a Dream and Drive are two soundtracks that come to mind as examples of this type of record. With The Will to Endure, Highroad No. 28 shows that evolution and consistency are not mutually exclusive. The band has undergone many changes over the course of their history, but they have remained true to their core: their commitment to musical honesty and their exploration of the darker corners of human emotion in a way that leaves room for light and hope. As Andrew JC readies a new live show for 2026, The Will to Endure promises to be a record that sets the stage for a new chapter in their history in which emotional depth and musical precision are hand in hand as they offer not only their music but a space in which people can engage their thoughts and emotions in a meaningful way. The history of Highroad No. 28 is one of perseverance, evolution, and the quiet power of staying true to their vision as artists. The Will to Endure is not simply a record of return; it is a statement that the heart of a band is not lost over time and that they are able to speak in a meaningful and impactful way that moves their audience.