Some projects feel like a collection of songs, while others take you somewhere, and Michael B Kowal’s Roads belongs firmly in the latter category. Released on 11 October 2026, this six-track EP brings together memories, personal discoveries, family connections and the difficult business of moving forward. What makes it particularly interesting is how naturally everything connects, especially through the storytelling. With older recordings finding new life alongside newer material, Kowal delivers a musical journey that moves between reflective calm, experimental energy and moments of emotional release.
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1. Roads: sets the journey in motion with a warm, melancholic atmosphere that feels like driving away from somewhere that once meant everything. The imagery of fading memories and old roads gives the song a strong sense of transition, while its measured pace lets the storytelling breathe. It is a fitting introduction to an EP built around change.
2. Peteys Song: Moving into a calmer, more reflective space, Peteys Song celebrates the special bond between Kowal and his dog, Petey. The guitar-led setting gives the story an intimate quality, turning ordinary moments into lasting memories. It is a lovely reminder that companionship can leave a lasting mark on our lives, even as time continues to move forward.
3. Windrush switches up the mood with a catchy, repetitive groove and some interesting jazz elements. Its atmospheric backdrop and persistent rhythmic movement give the track a different kind of energy, while the lyrics lean towards independence and pushing forward on one’s own terms. This experimental turn adds welcome contrast to the EP’s more contemplative moments.
4. Dark sun: Cool, laid-back and introspective, dark sun explores the uncertainty that comes with trying to understand yourself. Its central image of a dark sun becomes a search for light in difficult circumstances, gradually opening towards acceptance and renewed strength. The restrained atmosphere works beautifully here, giving the song room to develop without rushing its message.
5. I surrender: begins subtly, drawing us into a restless mind wrestling with anxiety, expectations and the pressure to have everything figured out. As the song progresses, the tension builds until it breaks into a much more intense release. That gradual bloom makes the emotional shift effective, capturing the relief that can come from admitting you need to let go.
6. No words: closes the EP on a thoughtful note, beginning with inviting instrumentation before the deep vocals draw you further into the song. Its lyrics explore how some feelings resist explanation, allowing the guitar and the spaces between phrases to communicate what words cannot. As a closing track, it feels perfectly placed: sometimes the journey leaves you with more to feel than to say.
What makes roads work as an EP is the way its six tracks feel connected without sounding identical. Michael B Kowal moves from leaving the past behind to celebrating companionship, questioning himself and eventually finding some peace in what cannot be explained. The contrast between the older recordings and newer material adds another layer to that journey, making the project feel lived-in rather than forced. Roads is a thoughtful release for listeners who appreciate guitar-driven music, personal storytelling and songs that unfold at their own pace.
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