Premiere: Andy Thomas Introduces Himself as the 'Highway Junkie'

Premiere: Andy Thomas Introduces Himself as the ‘Highway Junkie’

Hana Gustafson on March 26, 2026

Photo Credit: Jenna Kinney

Today, Andy Thomas offers Relix readers an advance survey of his debut solo album, Highway Junkie, a 12-track collection produced by Widespread Panic’s Dave Schools. Hitting streaming platforms on Friday, March 27, the new set of songs introduces Thomas’ own tale of hardships and perseverance, spotlighting a strenuous sojourn that illustrates a Cherokee rose-lined path intended for reflection, catharsis and self-determined sing-alongs.

At first listen, the title track might be mistaken for Zach Bryan’s own raw, campfire howl at the moon, but after proclaiming, “Getting kinda tired of this old blue collar/ Day after day just trying to make a dollar,” it ramps up to match the musician’s determination to “come away from this everyday hell.” What Thomas does well is use his heart as a motivator to drive away pain and problems, then unleash a honky-tonk bomb that demands listeners grab a partner and twist away their worries.

The opening track provides a blueprint for the soundscapes that surface later on; the guitar entry becomes a motif [“Freedom Song,” “Kings & Queens,” “Runaway”], allowing Thomas space to demonstrate his choice tool, elsewhere, drums course like a rapid heartbeat [“Hard to Tell,” “Little Love Machine,” “Down The Line”] revving up emotions that alter the record’s aura and apply a layer of grit. At the same time, rollicking keys keep the collection’s playfulness in check.

Reflecting on his first full-length release, Thomas describes Highway Junkie as, “A journey tangled in sex, drugs, work, love, freedom, and hope.” Taking the description one step further, he calls it “a roadmap for the ramblin’ man. Me, Dave, the boys and girls, cut this record in a week. No looking back, no second-guessing. This album represents exactly where I was and who I am. Buckle up and turn it up.”

“I know I was meant to burn up the highway playing my guitar, not burn out swinging a hammer for somebody else,” Thomas says. “[The road and the stage] feels like home for me. I love playing, traveling, and getting the inspiration to write—it’s where I feel most at peace.”

Highway Junkie is an autobiographical account of Thomas’ Southern-bred stamina that serves as a motivator through life’s greatest challenges and human impulse to fuel desire regardless of the outcome – a headbobbing coupling of spitfire Southern rock and high-octane country-informed blues.

Thomas’ first-time solo set comes after a long stretch of experience providing melodies with Americana stewards, Yarn. He also fronts his own The Trongone Band. Highway Junkie is his ingress down the line of independent identification. Get to know Thoma by listening to his 12-track debut album. Stream it here.

Pre-order/save Highway Junkie.