Carrying Torches is a five-piece band that comes from the heart of the Midwest, where the suburban streets of Chicago meet the quiet rural roads. Since 2016, the group—made up of Justin Daniel, Jon Paul Gray, Misty Okroi, Mike Bass, and Taylor Smith—has been building a unique sound they call “Heartland Garage Rock.” They mix the raw energy of rock and roll with catchy pop-punk melodies and the cool, airy feel of synthwave.
Since their first release, the Ace of Wands EP in 2017, they have become well-known for their honest songs and powerful live shows that talk about getting through hard times and finding peace. Following their 2024 hit “Good in Blue,” the band is back in 2026 with a song that feels like a big step forward: the deep and moving single, “Gone.”
The song “Gone” is a lovely blend of new-style pop and soulful music. It has the feel of a large, meaningful song, but it uses very neat and smooth sounds that make it feel fresh and new. What makes this track so special is that it is not packed with noisy or quick music. Instead, it moves at a slow and steady pace, giving you lots of space to truly sit with the feeling of the music.
The music begins with a simple, steady beat that feels just like a heartbeat, giving the song a feeling that it is moving toward something certain. As the track moves along, new sounds are joined in slowly, building up a feeling of weight that eventually flows away into a calm ending. The band uses “space” in a smart way, leaving gaps between the notes so the music feels big and open, even though the main tune feels very close and personal.
Gone
The vocals are the most important part of this track. The singer uses a style that sounds like a “hushed intensity,” which makes it feel like they are telling you a secret just for you. The voice moves easily from a light, airy sound to a deeper, stronger tone, showing the different feelings going on inside the song.
The harmonies are not used all the time; instead, they show up like “ghosts” in the background, making the sound thicker and making it feel like there are many different voices or thoughts echoing at once. This song isn’t about showing off with high notes; it is about being real and sincere in every word.
The heart of “Gone” is about reaching the very end of something. It looks at that moment when you realize that a part of your life, a friendship, or even an old version of yourself is finally finished for good. It captures a strange feeling: you might feel empty because something is over, but you also feel very clear because you finally know exactly where you stand.
The song tells us that letting go is not a quick or easy choice, but it is a change we have to make to grow. It is about the quiet that comes after a lot of noise and having the bravery to stand in that quiet without trying to grab back onto things that have already faded away.
We can all relate to this in our daily lives. Many of us try to hold onto “ghosts” of old feelings or stay in situations that aren’t good for us anymore because they feel familiar. In our relationships, there is often a “middle ground” where things aren’t quite alive but aren’t quite dead yet.
“Gone” represents the sunrise that ends that confusing time. It reminds us that being “gone” isn’t just a sad ending; it is actually a way to clear out space so that new and better things can happen. It shows that we sometimes have to lose our way or let go of the past to truly find where we are supposed to go next.
To wrap things up, “Gone” is a very professional and deeply moving look at the power it takes to step away from things that no longer feel right for your soul. It tells a beautiful story about things coming to an end and the calm feeling that comes when we finally accept it. To truly enjoy this song, we think you should find a quiet spot where nobody will bother you. Put on your best headphones, close your eyes, and let the smooth, heartfelt world of Carrying Torches take you on a trip. It is a song that will stay in your mind long after the very last sound disappears.
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