I have a pretty vivid memory of a mix tape I made that got me through morning rush hour traffic here in the DMV some 30 years ago. Those tapes I made back then kept me sane in the kind of commute that could have broken even the strongest of folks. Pretty sure the standouts were "Lipstick" by The Buzzcocks, "Without Blinking" by Superchunk, and "Space Manatee" by Heavenly. For a band pegged as twee, Heavenly sure rocked on that one, a cut from their then current Operation Heavenly. That 1996 offering was the last new Heavenly record until now, with the release of this week's new Heavenly album. And I'm still pretty surprised to be writing those words, but supremely happy to be doing so too!
Highway to Heavenly by Heavenly is, yes, the first new Heavenly album in 30 years. It arrives to open arms among indie fans, and is likely to earn this band even more fans since Heavenly are set to tour the USA soon. On tunes like the jubilant "Excuse Me" you'd swear you were hearing a lost Heavenly cut from 1996. Similarly, "Good Times" is a stroll around familiar territory, the Heavenly sound being revived after too many years dormant. Elsewhere, "Skep Wax" is a mid-tempo jewel, the hook being of the kind that sort of sneaks up on you even as the brighter "Press Return" soars with ease. Last year's "Portland Town" is here, as is "Scene Stealing", that winner of a single from earlier this year. Everything here sounds right, which is something that needs to be said as indie fans can be strict taskmasters, especially so for bands who've been away for so long. There are subtle progressions in the group's sound here in 2026, but, yeah, Highway to Heavenly most assurededly sounds like classic Heavenly.
It's not an understatement to say that a return like this could have been extraordinarily tricky, especially so since Heavenly stopped being an active band following the tragic death of Matthew Fletcher (addressed here in the poignant "The Last Day"). The four surviving original band members (Amelia Fletcher, Peter Momtchiloff, Cathy Rogers and Rob Pursey) are joined now by drummer Ian Button who takes the place once occupied by the late Matthew Fletcher. And magic was conjured again once those five assembled and got to work on this fine release.
Highway to Heavenly will please so many who missed this lot, and it's frankly hard to pretend to be an objective reviewer for a band like this. The return of Heavenly really brings out the most gushing tendencies in someone like me. And rather than ramble like a fanatic, I'll say that playing Highway to Heavenly made me so very happy, not only because Heavenly are back, but they sound like they always did. So, yes, the band sharing new music in 2026 really is something to celebrate. If only more new records from famed bands inspired such affection, right?
Highway to Heavenly by Heavenly will be out on February 27 via Skep Wax. More details via Bandcamp.
Heavenly are playing D.C. in April. See you at the Black Cat!
[Photo: Alison Wonderland]