New Radicals Return With First Song in 28 Years
The alt-rock act releases their first original song in nearly three decades for a new romantic comedy film.
New Radicals, the American rock act best known for their 1998 debut "You Get What You Give," have released their first original song since breaking up in 1999. The track, titled "One Night Only (Break Loose Break Free!)," appears on the soundtrack to the romantic comedy One Night Only, which stars Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner.
Frontman Gregg Alexander wrote the song for the film, marking a significant moment for a band that has largely remained quiet across nearly three decades. According to Pitchfork, the band's sole chart-defining album, Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too, launched their initial success before they disbanded just a year after their breakout hit.
From Hitmaker to Producer
While New Radicals themselves retreated from the spotlight, Alexander carved a substantial career as a songwriter and producer. He penned "Murder on the Dancefloor" for Sophie Ellis-Bextor, co-wrote Adam Levine's Oscar-nominated "Lost Stars," and produced "Game of Love," a Santana and Michelle Branch collaboration that Branch recently re-recorded with New Radicals.
This production work demonstrates that Alexander never truly left the music industry—he simply shifted from performing frontman to behind-the-scenes architect. His ability to craft hooks and arrangements remained sought after across multiple eras of pop and rock.
A Band Returns, In Stages
New Radicals' return has been gradual rather than dramatic. The band reunited in 2021 to perform at President Biden's inauguration, marking their first public appearance together in over two decades. In 2024, they regrouped to record their own version of "Murder on the Dancefloor," a cover that added a personal note: the original track had been used as walk-on music at campaign rallies by second gentleman Doug Emhoff, and the band dedicated their version to him.
These reunion moments suggest the band members have remained connected despite their extended hiatus. The 2021 and 2024 appearances hinted at the possibility of new material, though "One Night Only (Break Loose Break Free!)" represents the first glimpse of where that reunion might lead creatively.
A One-Hit Legacy That Endures
The term "one-hit wonder" is often reductive, and New Radicals' story complicates that label considerably. While "You Get What You Give" remains their only major chart presence as a band, Alexander's subsequent work in production has touched far more listeners than the one-hit classification suggests. The song itself has aged remarkably well, maintaining cultural presence across decades through film placements, covers, and continued radio rotation.
The rom-com soundtrack placement for "One Night Only (Break Loose Break Free!)" fits a pattern: New Radicals' previous work frequently aligned with cinema and television, where the band's particular brand of '90s-inflected rock and pop sensibility found natural home. Whether this new track signals a broader return to recording remains unclear, but it offers fans tangible evidence that the reunion conversations have extended beyond ceremonial appearances.
