Richmond pop-rock act Broadside has now released their newest album, Nowhere, At Last. This album marks the fifth studio release from the group and their first since signing with Thriller Records in 2025. After nearly a full year of dropping single after single, Broadside has finally dropped their newest full-length LP to much applause from their dedicated fans. Being the fifth album from the now-veteran act, and the first album under their new label, does the release live up to the hype? Well, after dropping on April 10 and having some time to digest the album as a whole, this reviewer can confirm that Broadside definitely met the moment.
It can be challenging for any band to tend to any sort of release hype for a full year. Much of what fans knew about the upcoming album strictly came from the singles such as “I Think They Know,” “Warning Signs,” and “Control Freak.” Now that the album is out in its entirety, it’s easy to see why these were chosen as the standout tracks on the record. These singles give a compact version of what this record is. It’s infinitely catchy with great choruses. The electronic dance elements play well with the harsher tones of the instrumentals. The themes of uncertainty and paranoia in the lyrics across the album are strong and concise. Overall, Nowhere, At Last is just an enjoyable pop-rock record that will keep listeners more or less engaged for the entirety of its runtime.
One of the highlights of this album is its production. Andrew Wade (whose worked with artists such as Neck Deep and A Day to Remember) and Curtis Peoples (whose worked with artists such as Grayscale and Picturesque) have their fingers firmly on the pulse with this one. The more metalcore stylings of the guitar and bass shouldn’t work as well with the dance beats as they do, but they truly pull it off. The vocals are crisp and cut through. The drums are present but never take over the mix. The production on this record might just top the rest of Broadside’s catalog.
Something else that stands out on Nowhere, At Last are the album’s deep cuts. In an age where most musicians are just willing to give out their best tracks before the album comes out, Broadside seemed to keep some of their better tracks a secret from those unwilling to listen to the full album. Some of these stellar tracks include the opener, “Cherry Red Ego Death.” This song is truly what every opening to an album should be. It manages to grab listeners’ attention in a way that gets you to invest in the rest of the LP. Another standout is “Dead Roses.” As the midway point of the album, it works so well in reaffirming what the band does well. It’s driving progressions raise the stakes, and the cosmic sounds introduced in the track bring a fresh spice to the album.
Another thing that needs to be touched on is the visuals for Nowhere, At Last. Music can be as much of a visual art as it wants if you have the artists who care to put the time in. It’s clear that Broadside not only put in the time but also the care to keep this album visually appealing. Everything from the black-and-white album cover (which creates an optical illusion if looked at a certain way) to the noir-style videos is cohesive and attractive. The subtle touches of having multiple music videos play off each other is a move I wish more artists would try. All of these things just put an extra emphasis on an album cycle that might’ve been long, but well worth the wait.
This isn’t to say this is a flawless record. About a third through the record, some listeners will experience fatigue. The writing can get a bit repetitive at times, with tracks that start to bleed together. After the track “I Think They Know,” the LP basically says everything it needs to. This leads into the second complaint some might have on this album: It ends on a kind of whimper. The last two tracks, “What Are You Leaving Behind?” and “Is This It?,” are indicative of this gradual falloff. It’s just that after minutes of nonstop fun, it’s slightly disappointing that the ending of the album has fans asking the very question the last track poses.
Despite these minimal shortcomings, Broadside has reached a new level with Nowhere, At Last. The band has successfully released their most balanced and well-curated project to date. The LP is a breeze to listen to, and the standouts hit a high not even dedicated fans had heard of yet. Overall, it’s a fresh take on everything Broadside does best.
Listeners can now stream Nowhere, At Last on Spotify and other streaming platforms. Fans can also follow Broadside’s website for all the latest news. Readers can also see what Broadside’s vocalist, Oliver Baxxter, has to say about Nowhere, At Last by clicking here.
