‘Roadside’, the new single from LA alt-pop project GOODTWIN, takes the familiar image of an open highway and turns it into something softer and more cinematic, pairing warm, driving melodies with atmospheric textures and a distinctly sultry mood.
The track began with multi-instrumentalist Brandon Ronquillo, who wrote the original instrumental several years ago before leaving it unfinished. But when he finally brought the piece back to the group, the imagery of windows down, blurred lights passing by, and the road stretching ahead without urgency came almost immediately.
Lead singer Augusta “Gus” Alexander wrote the lyrics around that feeling, while the wider band shaped the arrangement collectively. Ian Rosales then engineered and produced the finished recording.
‘Roadside’ drifts forward naturally, allowing atmosphere and melody to do most of the heavy lifting. The influences are broad, but the strongest thread is GOODTWIN’s ability to balance softness with movement throughout.
It also makes a fitting second preview of Soft Serve, the group’s forthcoming debut EP. Described as “open road music”, the four-track project is built around dreamy alternative pop with touches of retro soul, bringing older ideas into focus through new collaborations. And ‘Roadside’ captures that concept particularly well because it sounds both nostalgic and immediate at the same time.
‘Roadside’ is understated, warm and quietly transportive; offering the kind of song that makes the journey feel more important than wherever you’re headed.