KRML Artist Discovery | Music Worth Getting Lost In
First, relax. We’re not wading into America’s drug policies. We’re talking about one of the most captivating rock bands of the past two decades. And quite possibly the perfect soundtrack to a drive along Monterey Bay.
Meet The War on Drugs.
Imagine Bruce Springsteen’s restless ambition, Bob Dylan’s introspection, Dire Straits’ shimmering guitars, and a synthesizer that wandered in from 1985 and decided to stay.
Somehow, it works. Beautifully.
Philadelphia Roots, California Highway Music
The War on Drugs began in Philadelphia in 2005, founded by Adam Granduciel and fellow musician Kurt Vile.
Granduciel eventually became the band’s principal songwriter, singer, guitarist, and sonic architect.
Their breakthrough came with 2014’s Lost in the Dream, a remarkable collection of sprawling, hypnotic songs that seemed to capture the feeling of driving somewhere important without quite knowing where you’re going.
In 2018, their album A Deeper Understanding won the Grammy for Best Rock Album.
Not bad for music that frequently takes seven minutes to get where it’s going.
The Sound of Getting Somewhere Without Rushing
There’s something wonderfully unfashionable about The War on Drugs.
Their songs take their time. Guitars build upon guitars. Synthesizers drift in and out. Drums establish a rhythm that feels like a heartbeat on an open highway.
And then, somewhere around minute four, everything comes together.
It’s not music designed for a 15-second TikTok clip.
It’s music designed to make you forget you’re holding a phone in the first place.
Which, frankly, strikes us as progress.
New Music: “Who’s That”
September 2026 brought the band’s new single, “Who’s That,” written and produced by Granduciel in his Burbank studio.
The song explores self-doubt, anxiety, and the sometimes complicated business of learning to appreciate yourself.
Granduciel says the initial song was written in just ten minutes, between his morning coffee and the school run.
Apparently, some people are more productive before breakfast than the rest of us are all week.
Musically, it delivers what fans love: shimmering guitars, emotional honesty, and an expansive sound that grows more powerful as it unfolds.
Four Songs to Start Your Journey
- Red Eyes — An exhilarating introduction. Turn it up.
- Under the Pressure — The slow-burning masterpiece. Don’t skip ahead. The journey is the point.
- I Don’t Live Here Anymore — Nostalgic, anthemic, and surprisingly uplifting.
- Who’s That (2026) — The newest chapter in a remarkable musical journey.
Why They Belong on KRML
We love artists who remind us that music doesn’t have to be disposable, predictable, or engineered for an algorithm.
The War on Drugs make records that reward your attention.
And while their roots are in Philadelphia, their music feels remarkably at home here on California’s Central Coast.
Maybe it’s the fog? Maybe it’s the open road? Maybe it’s the opportunity to think about life’s bigger questions while the Pacific rolls along beside you?
Or maybe some music just sounds better when you don’t have anywhere urgent to be.
That’s our kind of music. And that’s our kind of radio.
Discover The War on Drugs, along with plenty of other artists worth your time, on KRML 94.7 FM — Monterey Bay.
Listen locally, or stream KRML from anywhere.
Human-curated music. No algorithm required.