The War On Drugs Are Still Masters Of Road-Trip Rock On ‘Holding On’

The War On Drugs have found a sound they like and they’re sticking to it. At least that seems to be the case with “Holding On,” the first single from their just announced upcoming album A Deeper Understanding. It’s not the first new track we’ve heard from the group since 2014’s Lost In The Dream, but it is more of the excellent same. “Holding On” continues their tradition of crafting keyboard-obsessed Springsteen outtakes that replace The Boss’ gravelly belting with Adam Granduciel’s lighter touch.

The band is locked in to a groove for the duration of the five-and-a-half minute track, calling to mind that uniquely American form of meditation: the multi-hour drive. And Graduciel complements that implied imagery with some explicit nods to crooked highways and crashing. Keep it steady and give the new track a listen up top.

In addition to the new song, the band have shared a tracklist for Understanding. Take a look at that below.

1. “Up All Night”
2. “Pain”
3. “Holding On”
4. “Strangest Thing”
5. “Knocked Down”
6. “Nothing To Find”
7. “Thinking of a Place”
8. “In Chains”
9. “Clean Living”
10. “You Don’t Have To Go”

The new album drops August 25 via Atlantic. Head back and run through the 11-minute epic “Thinking Of A Place” until then.

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