GOODTWIN isn’t here to play it safe. The Los Angeles alt-pop project led by Augusta “Gus” Alexander just dropped “Roadside,” and it’s the kind of track that makes you want to roll the windows down and drive until the gas tank runs dry. This isn’t a headbanger, but it’s got a pulse. A real one. The kind that gets under your skin and stays there.
The song started as an instrumental by multi-instrumentalist Brandon Ronquillo. He wrote it a couple years back and then let it sit. Smart move. When he finally brought it to the group, everyone felt the same thing: a dreamy, smoky texture that felt like open highway and blurry lights. Gus wrote the lyrics around that image, and the title was born. Ian Rosales engineered and produced, and you can hear the care in every layer. The melodies lock in. The arrangement breathes. Nothing feels rushed.
GOODTWIN calls their sound “Open Road Music,” and that fits. It’s the second track from their debut EP Soft Serve, a four-song collection arriving this fall. They name-drops Fleetwood Mac, Men I Trust, Cocteau Twins, Night Tapes, and Steely Dan. That’s a wild mix, but somehow it works. You get the warmth of Fleetwood Mac, the haze of Cocteau Twins, and the smooth groove of Steely Dan. It’s retro soul with a modern edge. It’s pop that doesn’t insult your intelligence.
Gus Alexander named the project as an ode to her very good twin sister. That’s a cool detail. It tells you this isn’t some faceless industry product. It’s personal. It’s got heart. The band blends soul, funk, and pop into something that feels both timeless and fresh. On “Roadside,” they keep it smooth but never sleepy. The guitars shimmer. The bass holds it down. The vocals float just above the mix, inviting you in without begging for attention.
If you’re tired of loud-for-the-sake-of-loud rock, this is a different kind of kick. It’s a slow burn. It’s a sunset drive. It’s the kind of song you put on when you need to clear your head. GOODTWIN have crafted something special here. “Roadside” is out now.