Skegss return with Pacific Highway Music, their third full-length album and their most dynamic work to date. Now a duo featuring Ben Reed (vocals, guitar) and Jonny Lani (drums), the Byron Bay, Australia musicians bring a fresh surge of creativity following the departure of co-founder Toby Cregan. Produced by Paul Butler (Devendra Banhart, St. Paul & the Broken Bones), the album expands on Skegss' signature mix of frenetic energy and introspective rock, pushing boundaries with experimental textures and newfound musical freedom.

Reflecting on the album's development, Reed says, “In the past, I’d deprived myself of using things like synthesizers, not realizing how much texture and atmosphere they can add to the music. Working with [producer] Paul felt like letting our guard down and completely opening up in terms of what these songs could be.”

Pacific Highway Music's sound was deeply influenced by time spent in Joshua Tree’s Rancho de la Luna. There, with studio owner Dave Catching (Queens of the Stone Age, Mark Lanegan), Skegss explored new sonic possibilities. “Sometimes it’s hard to explain what you hear in your imagination, but Dave was incredible at deciphering my rambling and finding exactly the right guitar to get the sound I wanted,” Reed recalls. “We were in the desert during a meteor shower, so we’d jam all day and watch the sky at night. The whole experience felt like magic.”

Lead single “Spaceman” encapsulates the album's expansive spirit, with slow-building riffs and fuzzed-out grandeur underscoring Reed’s existential musings on the universe. From there, Pacific Highway Music charges forward with an unstoppable energy. “High Beaming” blends bouncy grooves and exuberant gang vocals in a heartfelt ode to those who keep us grounded when life becomes overwhelming. “I wrote that song as a thank-you to my girlfriend for how she helps me see things in a new way whenever I’m in a negative headspace,” Reed shares. The album also features tracks like “Out Of My Head,” a heavy-hearted anthem about letting go of past regrets, where Reed's gravelly vocals are layered with vivid nature imagery.

With Pacific Highway Music, Skegss not only honors their coastal roots but also embarks on a bold new chapter. The album’s title nods to the iconic Australian road that has carried them on countless tours and surf trips, reflecting the band’s deep connection to the landscape. “I’ve spent a lot of my life driving on the Pacific Highway, and most of the time it puts me in a bit of a hypnotic state,” Reed explains. “With this album, I tried to be as honest as possible, but I also wanted to create the kind of songs that give you that same feeling - songs where you can shut your eyes, let your imagination take over, and drift off into another world that exists only in your mind."