Southern California rockers Robert Jon & The Wreck’s ninth studio album, Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes is due out on 22nd August via Journeyman Records. Currently on tour across the UK, their latest single ‘Better Of Me‘ has just been released.
Driven by a stomping piano intro and crunchy guitars, ‘Better Of Me’ captures the band’s signature blend of defiance and melody. Co-written with long-time collaborator Nick Foster, the track originated during a writing session while the band was on tour and found its final form under the guidance of producer Dave Cobb.
“‘Better Of Me’ is a track co-written with our good friend and long-time collaborator Nick Foster,” said guitarist Henry James. “Initially conceived from a Zoom writing session conducted while on tour, the song took on new life with Dave Cobb’s production genius. Led by some inspired piano riffing, it’s a jamming, rollicking tune that wears its heart on its sleeve and transports us back to some of our favourite albums like The Basement Tapes and Second Helping. The track is an empowering affirmation that talks about not letting anyone get the best of you and not caring what others think. It encourages the listener to move forward on their own path in life, unburdened by whatever obstacles may present themselves.”
You can stream the single here and check out the video here at RAMzine.
Loose jangling boogie very much in the manner of The Band, it’s good to be reminded of one of Robert Jon & The Wreck’s earlier influences on new single ‘Better Of Me’, having become more accustomed to rockier tunes of late. Perfect accompaniment for a late night, beer-fuelled campfire singalong as much as a flag waving anthem that you might get to join in with on tour.
The new album is said to find the band firing on all cylinders – Raw, reflective, and tighter than ever, with Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Rival Sons) producing throughout.
“It was an incredible honour to collaborate with Dave Cobb on our new record,” said frontman Robert Jon Burrison. “Not only has he worked with artists we deeply admire, but he’s also been a producer we’ve respected for over a decade. Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes feels like a true reflection of who Robert Jon & The Wreck is as a band.
“From the moment we arrived in Savannah, GA, to record, we felt an immediate sense of comfort and ease—something rare in a typical studio environment. Being away from our usual routines, living together, and immersing ourselves in the new songs from start to finish created an album we are incredibly proud of. We can’t wait to share it with the world and bring it to life on stage.”
The band’s previous single was ‘Highway’, a soaring, mid-tempo rocker that showcases everything fans have come to love about The Wreck: Blistering twin guitar harmonies, emotionally charged vocals, and a driving rhythm section. Produced by Cobb and recorded in Savannah, ‘Highway’ blends the band’s classic heartland sound with fresh, cinematic urgency.
Keen on delivering us a brace of hard hitting rock tunes with their recent batch of singles, Robert Jon & The Wreck continue to strike heavy but forswear European classic rock tropes on their latest release ‘Highway’, choosing rather the kind of weaving melody guitar refrains their own homeland’s southern regions offer as a speciality – At turns reflective or echoing the song’s thought-filled lyrics, one suspects those guitars are going to stretch out comfortably along the road when played live.
“‘Highway’ is a favourite of ours on Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes – A song that started as a loose melodic concept on an acoustic guitar in Henry’s apartment, and evolved into a full-blown powerhouse,” Burrison refelcted. “When we brought it into rehearsals in Costa Mesa, it just clicked with the band. Dave Cobb helped us elevate the track by pushing the tempo and building out the dynamics. Lyrically, it’s a heartfelt love song—wide open, full throttle, and impossible to get out of your head.”
“It never strayed far from the original vision Robert and I had,” noted guitarist Henry James. “Cobb brought a new level of spontaneity and emotional edge to the sessions. This track hits hard and still gives you the feels—it’s everything we love about rock ’n’ roll.”
According to bassist Warren Murrel, the Savannah sessions represented a major turning point for the band: “For the first time in our band’s history, we had the opportunity to live at the studio while recording. Instead of dealing with LA traffic and squeezing in sessions between other commitments, we got to immerse ourselves fully in the music – Writing, recording, and refining songs every day for over a week. It was an experience that allowed us to be completely present in the creative process. Dave Cobb has a way of getting under the hood of a song, pushing it further than we ever thought possible. His guidance challenged us in the best ways and helped bring this album to life in a way we’re truly proud of.”
Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes captures the band at a creative peak, drawing from real-life experiences of love, loss, and redemption. Across ten tracks, Robert Jon & The Wreck explore the full emotional spectrum, delivered with thunderous riffs, razor-sharp grooves, and some of their most compelling lyrics to date. The album was mixed by Greg Gordon, known for his work with Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, and Rival Sons. It will be available on CD, limited edition coloured vinyl, and in special merchandise bundles, including an exclusive shirt and bandana package.
“This album is a candid musical reflection of who we are today,” added Henry. “Tales of love gone awry, love gone right, camaraderie, estrangement, lessons learned, dark shadows, and bright lights—all wrapped into one.”
Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes features the tracks: ‘Sittin’ Pretty’, ‘Ashes In The Snow’, ‘Highway’, ‘Old Man’, ‘Dark Angel’, ‘Long Gone’, ‘Better Of Me’, ‘I Wanna Give It’, ‘Heartbreak & Last Goodbye’, and ‘Keep Myself Clean’.
You can order Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes here, the singles available here and you can check out the videos for them here at RAMzine.
