Overpass "Elsewhere, Always" Album Review

"Elsewhere, Always" Album Art

Magda Kanecka | June 2026

The Birmingham-based indie rock four-piece Overpass released their debut album “Elsewhere, Always” on 5 June 2026, marking a significant milestone for the band. With five songs released before the official release, it is safe to say the excitement for the album has been building for a while.

Since its release, the album has peaked at number three on the Official Mid-Week Charts – once again reinforcing the band’s early success.

“Elsewhere, Always” proves why Overpass is a band to look out for this year: this debut release has everything you might look for from an indie rock record, from Max Newbold’s emotionally charged vocals, to Jake Bishop’s hard-hitting drumming, tied together with India Armstrong’s bass and Elliot Rawlings’ eager guitar elements that further elevate each track.

Track 1: “Union Station”

The opening track for Overpass’ debut album enters on a classic indie rock note, from the drums in the intro, to the later-introduced guitars, which only pick up as the song progresses.

I particularly love the almost pop-punk style notes with the repetition of the song title in the chorus. I am certain that the “That’s why you’ll find me down at Union Station / Union Station” line will get stuck in your head just as it did in my case.

Lyrically, the track discusses escapism and not quite fitting in with the people around you, perhaps having different goals than most people in your age range: “New age / 21 years of only mistakes / And not many answers but it’s okay”. It’s not melancholic in sound, and remains rather energetic: if anything, it is strangely comforting to know that other people feel a similar way!

As the first single from the album, “Union Station” stands powerful and steady; I imagine it would be a great setlist opener for a live show.

Track 2: “Sandman”

Unlike its precursor, “Sandman” chimes in heavier and later calms down in the verses before picking up again in the chorus. The drumming from Jake Bishop is particularly noteworthy here: it acts as the backbone of the track, which is elaborated on by the rest of the band down the line. In its sound, “Sandman” is more dreamy and shoegaze-y in style, which I am a huge fan of.

Discussing anxieties, insomnia, and coping mechanisms with lyrics such as “Someone’s knockin’ on my bedroom door / Those voices screamin’ through the wall / I’d let them in if I could dream” in the pre-chorus, the track leaves a highly emotive remark, once again echoes within the listeners.

Track 3: “Is This Real?”

Lyrically, “Is This Real?” undoubtedly criticises societal expectations for men, with lines such as “I can feel the weight of the world on my shoulders / Do my best, but I’m not a soldier” and later “Manning up isn’t letting go”. It’s a brave but necessary commentary on masculinity (or, as I interpret it anyway), and I love that the band is not afraid to touch on such topics.

The instrumental here hits all the right notes: it is consistent and all but messy. It carries through and leaves a remark by the end. 

The vocal tone-down in the bridge fits particularly well, and, as described, the instrumentals carry the song forward as it explodes into the final chorus.

Track 4: “Fall In Love”

Transitioning into a slower track, “Fall In Love” draws in on a more melancholic and yearning note that hasn’t been explored yet. Both vocally and production-wise, the track is not only a little slower but also more expressive and intentional in what it presents.

Lyrically, track four feels like the lead singer, Max Newbold, waving goodbye to a situation or a person before the said story really has the chance to begin: “Just take it easy when you’re / Picking up the pieces of me / I could fall in love again though / I could fall in love again though”. 

The instrumental break leading into the bridge is the highlight of the track, once again leaving room for thought and reflection before the outro in the form of the final chorus enters.

Track 5: “Bonnie & Clyde Pt. 2”

The acoustic fifth track is affectionate and thoughtful, as if it is describing the good and careless parts of a relationship before the complications described in the earlier “Fall In Love”. 

On a literal note, the historical Bonnie & Clyde were partners in crime before anything else, and this track pays close tribute to that with lines such as “You could shoot, and I wouldn’t flinch” and “Let’s skip the bill, then run”.

At just over three minutes in length, this is an excellent mid-point on the album and would work well as a slower interlude in a concert setlist.

Track 6: “Forever, You”

The second half of Overpass’ debut album opens on rhythmic and repeating instrumental notes that remind me of the composition style of the legendary band Two Door Cinema Club.

“Forever, You” is equally as passionate as the album’s previous tracks, with a more upbeat production (which I am a big fan of). Dragging out the last notes in the chorus lines, the song lingers as full of emotion in a particularly unapologetic way. 

In its lyrics, it reflects on the effort put into relationships, which is not always seen or reciprocated: “Now you’re leaving me tongue tied / When all I wanted was / Forever you”.

Track 7: “Spinning”

Describing life goals which often seem too unrealistic and too far out of reach, “Spinning” lays bare the foundations for another shoegaze-style track.

From the title alone, the listener is able to tell that at the centre of this track are often conflicting emotions, instability and the attempt to persevere through it: “Nothing seems to stick anymore / I try to make some sense of it all”. 

I love the guitar and bass combinations on this song the most, especially the back-and-forth exchange with the drumming in the track's bridge. Once again, I imagine this would be an excellent way for the band to show off their live abilities, and with Overpass touring the album from October this year, those curious about the live execution of the songs should definitely consider seeing them in concert!

Track 8: “I Will”

As the album draws in on its closing lineup, “I Will” describes mental health struggles, such as lack of motivation and the tendency to procrastinate, with “I’ve been sleeping in again / Given up on all my friends / Never seem to get things right”.

Once again, I adore the vulnerability in the lyrics Overpass presents to us: they are expressive on their own and can be relatable to those who need to hear them. I think it is a true art form to let listeners in on personal struggles while also executing them with the same care that Overpass does, often blending sadder lyrics with upbeat melodies.

Track 9: “Get Up!”

An upbeat and carefree sound, this is a real hype song if I’ve ever heard one – think swinging your shoulders back and forth in the verses, and getting the urge to jump up and down in the chorus. 

Out of the ten-track lineup for the album, “Get Up!” might be my favourite. It sounds so lightweight throughout, and the chorus lines “Get up now, now / Get up now, now” will, without a doubt, be stuck in your head – similarly to the “Union Station” line in track one.

“Get Up!” is catchy, fun, and honestly such a pleasure to listen to. If you check out any song from this album, please let it be this one.

Track 10: “Heaven”

With a mix of styles as extensive as on this album, I wasn’t sure what note the band would close on in the final track. But “Heaven” does not fall short: opening slowly, allowing lead singer Max Newbold to show off his vocal skill in the chorus and pre-chorus and toning down in more spoken verses.

Compared to the previous track, this one is slower, though not as much as the other songs on the album. I interpret “Heaven” to be descriptive of the band chasing their dreams in lines such as “But I just need a second / I’m reaching out for heaven” – a theme that feels appropriate considering the background of “Elsewhere, Always” being a debut album.

As a first full-length release, the album is so strong in all its aspects, from production and lyrics to vocals: it’s so good all-round that it might be one of my favourite releases this year so far.

Whether you’re looking for new music or have been a fan of indie rock for quite some time, Overpass and “Elsewhere, Always” is not one to miss. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Follow Overpass here!

Listen to “Elsewhere, Always” here!