Broadside confronts existential dread, uncertainty and paranoia on defining new album 'Nowhere, At Last'

Recommended tracks: “Cherry Red Ego Death,” “Nowhere At Last,” “Dead Roses”
Similar artists: The Maine, Arrows In Action, Honey Revenge

Broadside isn’t afraid to ask if there’s more to life on their highly anticipated fifth album, Nowhere, At Last, out now via Thriller Records.

Taking inspiration from the surreal 1950s classic The Twilight Zone, the Virginia pop-rockers blend their love for science fiction and their signature pop-rock style throughout this fully immersive effort. Consisting of frontman Oliver Baxxter, guitarist Domenic Reid, bassist Pat Diaz, and drummer Tay Ewart, the 12-track album presents a brutally honest perspective on the darkest parts of humanity in a relentless world.

For those who are no strangers to existentialism, Nowhere, At Last is an instant heavy-hitter that transforms the impending doom into something impactful and jarring. “Cherry Red Ego Death” turns inwards, opening the album with the burning ache of being self-aware while losing yourself. The spiraling effort sets the tone for what’s to come with soaring riffs, powerful vocals, and introspective precision.

“Nowhere At Last” descends into thoughts of what awaits when the Grim Reaper comes knocking. The title track embodies the record’s core concept through its refined sound and brooding lyricism. Baxxter intensifies this energy with his distinctive vocals, singing, “In spite of yourself, or in the presence of God / We all end up alone / In a cage or a box” and “If you can’t take it with you, then what is the point? / Just hobbies and bodies to fill up the void.”

The juxtaposition of having the next two songs immediately follow each other in the tracklist feels interesting and intentional. “Warning Signs” details the adrenaline rush of infatuation and toxicity, while “Control Freak” serves as an anthem for the retired people pleasers who have finally reached their breaking point. One hides the true nature of the relationship behind an infectious groove before the other faces the manipulation head-on. The intense breakdown on “Control Freak” is one of the album’s richest moments, introducing a heavier side of Broadside that catches you off guard.

The band then wrestles with the emotional weight of the space between self-awareness and self-destruction on “Dead Roses.” Baxxter finds himself caught in the middle of healing and relapsing as he laments, “There’s a war in my mind / I’ve lost both sides.” Its polished edge continues to deepen their sonic evolution without sacrificing their roots, highlighting a sound that undoubtedly belongs here yet could easily fit on older releases like Into The Raging Sea and Hotel Bleu.

“Someone You Need” echoes this, capturing the tender ache of wishing you could better show up for your partner despite feeling broken. The track’s urgent, desperate tone navigates the crushing reality of internal and external stressors weighing down a relationship.

Nowhere, At Last dives into its second half with “Mushroom Cloud,” a lively effort that romanticizes the end of the world with glitchy synths, hypnotic guitars, and gloomy optimism. The apocalypse doesn’t feel so bleak if you’re in love, as Baxxter sings, “If this is Armageddon / I’ll be getting my arms around you.”

“I Think They Know” first abducted listeners into Broadside’s darker dimension last April. The band’s Thriller Records debut hauntingly tackles paranoia, imposter syndrome, and spiraling thoughts with an explosive, frantic instrumental. The song’s strongest moment unfolds during its bridge, slipping into an eerily rhythmic comedown before building back up as Baxxter anxiously belts, “Oh God, the voices in my head are taking over me.” The lead single is arguably one of Broadside’s boldest tracks, seamlessly bridging the gap between their past and present identity.

“Blissed Out” is a blistering anthem that captures the emotional battle with burnout after tirelessly chasing happiness and validation. “Dark Passenger” reflects on a similar internal battle with the harmful habits of succumbing to anxiety and depression. The song’s punchy, brooding nature depicts the chaos of self-sabotage and violent comfort that lies in its destructive patterns.

Broadside struggles with the unnerving promise of salvation and past regrets on “What Are You Leaving Behind?” It dips into one of the album’s darkest points as Baxxter eerily confesses, “They say you can skip the line / If you’ve got the money to play” and “How come every single time I pray / I feel like a bird inside a cage.” The track portrays a layered shift into the desperate, grim corners of the mind when your worldview crumbles before your eyes.

“Is This It?” revisits the questions first posed by Nowhere, At Last’s title track. The gut-wrenching finale directly confronts the unknown, displaying some of the band’s most devastating songwriting thus far. As Baxxter contemplates concepts of mortality and life after death, he eventually realizes that maybe not knowing is the answer. The perspective emotionally switches from “Is there more to this?” to “I wanna see the world, let the world see me.” “Is This It?” vividly brings the record to a cathartic close as Broadside refuses to remain under the weight of all-consuming existential dread.

Nowhere, At Last doesn’t fill the void; it reconciles with it. The record stands as a pivotal body of work that searches for identity, growth, and reflection in the face of chaos. The record immerses the listener into the visceral, non-linear journey between defeat and acceptance amid life’s uncertainties. With eerie black-and-white visuals, soul-searching lyricism, and an elevated soundscape, Nowhere, At Last proves that Broadside has crossed over into their most mature dimension yet. Sometimes ‘nowhere’ is exactly where you’re meant to be.

Broadside will be joining The Maine for a few shows of their North American tour starting on April 15 in Toronto. The band will then be heading to the UK for a co-headlining run with Hands Like Houses, leading up to their Slam Dunk Festival slot and surrounding headline shows this May. Tickets and information for all of Broadside’s upcoming shows can be found here.