Gone are the albums of knights and dragons / Gone are the kings and queens of Camelot / We’re going to Hel / We’re dying to be someone on a road to somewhere / This album is what happens when we expire / This album is a banned four loko / This album is the burger king on Columbus st / This album is Purgatorio / This album will make you sing songs of praise / Heavy is the head that wears a hat / We hope you like and savor the flavors of heaven / as we walk together hand in hand / as saxophones whine and trumpets pound / Kick me out and put a hole in my head / We’re going home, Sally
So begins Highway To Hell, the latest artistic dispatch from Emily Moales, better known to the indie world as Star Moles. Released through her self-curated collective, Historic New Jersey, on February 26, 2026, this project marks her 44th release and 9th full-length album since she first began recording in her teenage bedroom in 2017. For the uninitiated, this shift away from the folk-fantasy epics of her past might seem abrupt, but for Moales, it represents a necessary maturation—a pivot toward raw, unadorned honesty.
A Return to Humanizing Clarity
Highway To Hell is the sound of an artist who has experimented with the full spectrum of musical production—from GarageBand demos to complex analog arrangements—and has decided that the most powerful statement is one stripped of gimmicks. While the Star Moles aesthetic remains, it is now tempered by a newfound sense of restraint. Moales navigates the complexities of contemporary Philly life and the weight of the global polycrisis with a suite of ten songs that feel both intimate and expansive.
A Lineage of Sound
Moales’ musical journey is a fascinating blend of her diverse influences. While her parents introduced her to the anthemic classic rock of the 2000s, her grandmother’s influence through Sunday worship provided a foundation in vocal performance. Even more intriguing is her connection to Red Sovine, the iconic truck-driving country legend. Unlike Sovine, who relied on spoken-word delivery, Moales utilizes her range to its full potential. “I’ve always been a Kate Bush fan,” she notes. “I realized I didn’t have to sound cool and chill all the time. You can sound awesome and amazing doing everything you can do with your voice.”
Building the Historic New Jersey Collective
The development of Highway To Hell owes much to Moales’ partnership with Kevin Basko, the former Foxygen touring member. Their shared row house in South Philadelphia has become a sanctuary for DIY creation. What began as an informal friendship based on a mutual admiration for Barbra Streisand has evolved into a thriving creative hub. During the isolation of the pandemic, this space fostered a community, leading to the establishment of Historic New Jersey as a legitimate collective and label, housing projects by artists like Lightheaded and Hot Machine.
The Art of Holding Back
The most striking aspect of the new album is its brevity and focus. Moales admits that in the past, she felt a compulsion to fill every sonic corner. “I didn’t feel the need to fill every space,” she explains. “I realized that the space makes you pay attention to what’s happening.” Tracks like “Overdog” and “Time” demonstrate this perfectly—balanced, mid-tempo compositions that allow the listener to engage with her lyrics on a deeper level. The result is a humanizing, reassuring, and undeniably charismatic record that cements Star Moles’ status as a vital voice in modern indie music.
