Carrying the Quiet Weight: Highroad No. 28’s “Thistroubledsoul”

Highroad No. 28’s second single, “Thistroubledsoul,” lands with a heavy stillness that immediately sets it apart. Rather than rushing toward impact, the song unfolds patiently, allowing its emotional weight to seep in gradually. Built on brooding bass lines, expansive guitar textures, and restrained yet powerful dynamics, the track captures the feeling of carrying something unresolved for far too long. There’s a cinematic quality to the arrangement—wide, shadowed, and immersive—that mirrors the song’s inward gaze. Vocally, the delivery feels exposed without being fragile, conveying a sense of lived-in pain rather than performative anguish. It’s a song that doesn’t ask for sympathy; it simply exists with its scars intact.

What makes “Thistroubledsoul” particularly compelling is its sense of control. Andrew JC, handling all instruments and vocals on this release, demonstrates a clear vision, allowing every element to serve the song’s emotional core. The production strikes a careful balance between atmosphere and melody, with guitars that swell and recede like passing thoughts and rhythms that pulse steadily beneath the surface. Recorded at Sing Sing Recording Studios in Melbourne and mixed by James Taplin, the track benefits from a sound that feels both polished and intimate. Nothing is overplayed, and nothing feels incidental. Each sonic choice reinforces the song’s themes of inner conflict, endurance, and quiet resilience, drawing the listener deeper rather than overwhelming them.

As a continuation of Highroad No. 28’s evolving trajectory toward their forthcoming album The Will to Endure, “Thistroubledsoul” signals a darker, more introspective chapter for the project. It reflects a band unafraid to slow down and sit with discomfort, trusting that emotional honesty carries its own momentum. The song’s strength lies in its refusal to resolve neatly; instead, it acknowledges the strange power that comes from simply enduring. Distributed worldwide via The Orchard, the single feels poised to resonate beyond genre boundaries, particularly with listeners drawn to alternative rock that prioritizes mood and meaning over immediacy. “Thistroubledsoul” doesn’t shout its message—it lingers, quietly affirming that survival itself can be a form of strength.