Wilkes-Barre melodic hardcore outfit One Step Closer have officially announced their upcoming studio album, Zero. The band, who first garnered attention as a breakout act in 2021, continues to evolve their sound following their 2024 sophomore effort, All You Embrace. After teasing their return with last year’s standalone single “Jinx,” the group is now ready to unveil their latest collection of songs.
For Zero, the band enlisted producer Jon Markson—known for his work with acts like Drug Church and Drain—to help capture a specific sonic aesthetic. The band describes the record’s inspiration as a deep dive into “older brother music,” citing nostalgic touchstones such as printed Mapquest directions to VFW shows, the music video blocks of Steven’s Untitled Rock Show, and the DIY spirit of burning CDs with songs ripped from MySpace.
Alongside the album announcement, One Step Closer has shared two new tracks, “Blue Hour” and “Was It Ever Enough?,” accompanied by a collaborative music video co-directed by the band and Derek Rathbun. “Blue Hour” showcases a more meditative, slow-building intensity, while “Was It Ever Enough?” leans into the high-energy, emotive hardcore that has become a hallmark of their sound. The video captures a youthful, aimless energy, featuring skater kids tagging the band’s logo and gathering for an outdoor performance.
Below, you can watch the official video for the new tracks, as well as view the full tracklist for Zero and the band’s upcoming tour dates.
Zero Tracklist:
- 01 “Numb With Sleep”
- 02 “Until You Bloom”
- 03 “About A Boy”
- 04 “August”
- 05 “Blue Hour”
- 06 “Write My Wrongs”
- 07 “Drowning Skies”
- 08 “Was It Ever Enough?”
- 09 “A Fleeting Face”
- 11 “‘For Them'”
Zero is scheduled for release on February 19 via Run For Cover Records.
