Alright, let’s dive into Far From Home by 28 If. This album kinda sneaks up on you, doesn’t it? Released way back in ’91 in the UK under Diva Records, it blends pop and funk/soul like some sort of musical smoothie that tastes better than it has any right to. And honestly, this thing feels like a hidden gem, like finding an old mixtape at the bottom of your sock drawer that somehow still works.
First off, the title track “Far From Home” just hits different. It’s got this dreamy vibe, y’know? Like when you’re staring out a train window late at night, feeling all kinds of lost but also kinda free. The bassline is so groovy it could make your grandma get up and dance (no disrespect to grandmas). I think what sticks with me most about this one is how raw it feels—like they weren’t trying too hard to impress anyone. Just straight-up soul pouring out of the speakers. You can tell these guys were living their truth, even if no one was really listening back then.
Then there’s “Somebody New,” which… wow. That opening riff alone gives me chills every time. It’s funky as hell, but not in a flashy way—in a way that makes you wanna grab someone by the hand and spin ‘em around the room. The vocals here are smooth, almost lazy, but in the best possible way. It’s like the singer knows exactly what he’s doing and doesn’t need to shout about it. There’s something bittersweet about the lyrics too; they remind me of those moments when you see someone moving on and you’re happy for them but also… not really. Ugh, complicated feelings wrapped up in three minutes of gold.
I guess what gets me about this whole album is how unapologetically itself it is. It’s not chasing trends or trying to be cool—it’s just existing, doing its own thing. Back in ’91, maybe people weren’t ready for it. But now? Now it feels like the kind of record we needed all along.
Funny thing though—I looked up 28 If after spinning this album, and turns out they didn’t stick around long. Makes me wonder: did they know they made something special? Or did they just shrug and move on? Either way, Far From Home deserves more love than it got. Maybe someday someone will rediscover it and give it the spotlight it missed the first time around. Until then, I’ll keep playing it loud and letting it mess with my emotions.
