Highroad No. 28 is back with “C. Esp,” a dark and emotionally charged second single that shows the Australian band is entering a bold new era. Distributed worldwide by The Orchard (Sony Music), this track feels more like a statement than just a follow-up. It offers a dark, introspective experience that isn’t afraid to confront discomfort.
If you are discovering Highroad No. 28 for the first time, welcome. This band knows how to create atmosphere alongside melody and tension alongside release. With roots in alternative and indie rock, they have shaped a sound that values emotional honesty over polish and depth over immediacy. “C. Esp” is their clearest expression of this vision so far.
The song begins with a retro classic rock feel. This sets the mood for things to come, and before you can realize what is happening, you are already met with Andrew JC’s sweet vocals, which also serve as an instrument in the song. In a few seconds, you would be impressed. Andrew JC’s delivery is raw and controlled, carrying quiet desperation without slipping into melodrama. His voice is intimate, almost like a confession instead of a performance.
Lyrically speaking, “C. Esp” delves into inner conflict and talks of the struggle between collapse and survival. There’s a sense of wrestling with oneself, a quest for meaning or redemption without certainty that either exists. The song doesn’t provide easy answers; it embraces ambiguity, making the experience personal and unsettling in a good way. This thematic restraint gives the track its weight, trusting you to feel rather than being told what to think.
What’s most striking about “C. Esp” is how Andrew JC plays every instrument and sings every part himself. It takes a rare kind of professionalism to do that, and JC does it perfectly. This singular vision creates a cohesive intensity. Each section feels intentional and free of excess. The performance is disciplined yet emotional, emphasizing that this track is as much about endurance as it is about expression.
Recorded at Sing Sing Recording Studios in Melbourne and mixed by James Taplin, the production achieves a careful balance between clarity and atmosphere. The guitars swell and recede like emotional tides, while deep bass lines provide a steady pulse of tension. The drums remain restrained, supporting the atmosphere instead of overwhelming it, thus allowing the song to breathe. “C. Esp” fits well within alternative and indie rock, but its darker textures and spacious arrangement take it to a more immersive level. The mix emphasizes depth rather than volume, giving the track a haunting quality.
As the second step toward their upcoming third album, “The Will to Endure,” this single marks a band growing with intention. Overall, “C. Esp” draws you in, captivates you, and leaves a lasting impression. For Highroad No. 28, this is proof that their darkest moments can also be their most powerful.
Listen to “C. Esp” on Spotify
Follow Highroad No. 28 here for more information
