Rockhampton Hangover

Rockhampton Hangover
Studio album by
Tom Busby
Released20 February 2026 (2026-02-20)
RecordedTexas Hill Country[1]
StudioDripping Springs, Texas
Length30:39
LabelTom Busby
ProducerBen Kweller
Singles from Rockhampton Hangover
  1. "Waiting for Tomorrow"
    Released: 5 March 2025[2]
  2. "Someone Strong"
    Released: 14 April 2025[3]
  3. "Cyclone"
    Released: 23 May 2025[4]
  4. "Lottery"
    Released: 1 August 2025[5]
  5. "In the Dark"
    Released: 3 October 2025[6]
  6. "My Senses"
    Released: 21 November 2025[7]
  7. "Crazy"
    Released: 20 February 2026[8]

Rockhampton Hangover is the debut studio album by the Australian musician Tom Busby. The album was mentioned as early as March 2025[2] but officially announced in October 2025.[6] The album includes the singles "Waiting for Tomorrow", "Someone Strong", "Cyclone", "Lottery", "In the Dark", "My Senses" and "Crazy".[6][9] It was released on 20 February 2026.[9]

Upon release Busby said, "I'm seriously pumped this record's finally out. Making it with Ben Kweller was a turning point for me as an artist. He challenged me, backed me and helped me dig deeper than I probably would've on my own. These songs were born in Rockhampton, through some of the best days and some pretty tough ones too. To now send a piece of Rocky out into the world… that feels massive." "[1] Busby said the title refers to the "hangover" that "comes after a tough chapter, when the truth hits, and you decide to move forward."[9]

The album debuted at number 3 on the ARIA Charts.[10]

Background and release

In an interview with Noise11 in March 2026, Busby confessed the idea for a solo album predates the formation of Busby Marou with Jeremy Marou in 2007. After Busby Marou's fifth studio album, Blood Red in 2023, Busby finally committed to recording a solo album. The watershed moment came when Busby traveled to Texas, United States to write with Ben Kweller, which was prolific and led to Kweller producing and recording the album at his studio in Dripping Springs. Both families were living on the property during the recording.[11]

Reception

ABC Country said "Rockhampton Hangover displays Tom Busby's raw, authoritative vocals and his gift for telling deeply human stories. It is certain to cement his place as a distinct and compelling voice in country music," and called the album "his most personal and unfiltered work to date."[1]

Paul Cashmere from Noise11 said, "Rockhampton Hangover sharpens Tom's focus, revealing the scars beneath the surface and trusting the songs to carry their own weight. It is a confident, quietly compelling debut that stands comfortably alongside his work with Busby Marou while carving out a space that is unmistakably his own."[12]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Thomas Busby.

Rockhampton Hangover track listing
No.TitleMusicLength
1."Cyclone"
3:20
2."Waiting for Tomorrow" (featuring Ben Kweller)
  • Busby
  • Kweller
2:12
3."Crazy"
  • Busby
  • Kweller
2:54
4."My Senses"
2:18
5."Stalemate"
3:16
6."Lottery"
  • Busby
  • Kweller
  • Andy Hopkins
3:22
7."In the Dark"
3:54
8."Build Tough"
  • Busby
  • Kweller
  • Jordie Lane
  • Clare Reynolds
2:47
9."Someone Strong"
  • Busby
  • Kweller
  • Evan Jones
3:02
10."Nothing Will Ever Be the Same"
  • Busby
  • Kweller
  • Conley
3:34
Total length:30:39

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[13]

Charts

Chart performance for Rockhampton Hangover
Chart (2026) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[14] 3

References

  1. ^ a b c "Tom Busby Rockhampton Hangover". ABC Country. 21 February 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  2. ^ a b "Tom Busby Unveils Debut Solo Single – "Waiting for Tomorrow"". On Your Mark Us. March 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  3. ^ "Someone Strong - Single". Apple Music. 16 April 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  4. ^ "Award-winning artist Tom Busby unveils "Cyclone", a further taste of his forthcoming debut solo album Rockhampton Hangover, out later this year". On Your Mark Us. May 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  5. ^ "Tom Busby Drops Another Taste of Forthcoming Debut Solo Album With New Single "Lottery"". On Your Mark Us. 1 August 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  6. ^ a b c "Tom Busby Sets Debut Solo Album Rockhampton Hangover for February 2026". noise11. 3 October 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  7. ^ "Tom Busby (front man of award winning duo Busby Marou) released new single "My Senses", available now everywhere". YouTube. 21 November 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  8. ^ "Tom Busby (front man of award winning duo Busby Marou) released new single "Crazy", available now everywhere". YouTube. 20 February 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  9. ^ a b c "Tom Busby of Busby Marou Drops Debut Solo Album Rockhampton Hangover". The Note. 20 February 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  10. ^ Griffiths, Neil (27 February 2026). "ARIA Charts: Tom Busby, Meg Mac land top 10 debuts; Olivia Dean scores rare feat". The Music Network. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  11. ^ "Tom Busby Interview: Rockhampton Hangover, Ben Kweller & Life Outside Busby Marou". noise11. 7 March 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  12. ^ "Tom Busby Steps Into the Solo Spotlight With Rockhampton Hangover". noise11. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  13. ^ "Rockhampton Hangover / Tom Busby / Credits". Tidal. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  14. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Tom Busby – Rockhampton Hangover". Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
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