Following the footsteps of his compelling 2024 debut, ‘Black Dogs and Songbirds’, Australian alternative rock artisan Bully Hay returns with ‘Anywhere But Here’, a record that captures the heavy emotional pull of Tasmania's south-east landscape. Navigating the aftermath of a divorce, Bully Hay describes this collection as “a record about what happens when the ground disappears under you, and you still have to keep walking.”
The multi-instrumentalist has crafted a balanced journey of grit and atmosphere that stands strong alongside his history of sharing stages with the likes of Boy & Bear and Dead Letter Circus. The record opens with ‘Lovers Get High’, a track that echoes with moody rhythms balanced by deep, evocative vocals. Rather than getting stuck in a single lane, Hay quickly pivots into the driving energy of ‘If You Can’t Forgive Me, Forgive Yourself’. Underpinned by fast-paced drumming that gives a nod to classic Tom Petty road-trip anthems, the song cleverly disguises audible atonement as an upbeat, addictive summer track, topped with a fiery guitar solo.
Where the album truly shows its range is in its willingness to slow down. A reimagining of Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)’ trades the original synthesiser pulse for a vulnerable, acoustic-led atmosphere. The emotional weight continues into ‘Trinkets & Coal’, a starkly beautiful, melancholic moment reminiscent of City and Colour’s early acoustic vulnerability.
Yet, it’s our focus track, ‘Another Lost Soldier’, that serves as the album's undeniable centre. It is an infectious piece of alternative rock that effortlessly balances an upbeat tempo with structural darkness. Echoing the cinematic anthems of The Killers, the song features a massive, addictive chorus. When Hay delivers the line, “After all this time fighting in the trenches, I gave it everything and no one noticed,” the vocal execution perfectly matches the raw power of the writing. It’s a moment of pure magic, offering a stark emotional core drenched in legacy and heart, layered with gorgeous songwriting and talent to spare.
While the second half of the record introduces haunting elements, like the ocean-facing, sea-shanty rhythms of ‘I Can Be Your Lover’ and the dark, grunge-tinged chords of ‘We Can Drive’, some listeners might find the sonic shifts between high-energy indie rock and sparse acoustics slightly jarring. However, the record settles beautifully with the ethereal closer ‘Here It Comes Again’, allowing the guitar to weave a confident story of survival.
‘Anywhere But Here’ is an incredibly authentic and wonderfully accomplished piece of modern alternative rock. It’s an album that not only demands your attention but also rewards it endlessly, offering a perfect tapestry of sound, songwriting, and soul.
You can stream the new album above, and for more, be sure to keep up with Bully Hay’s journey and catch his upcoming tour dates on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
