B-Side Guys

In a world that forced stillness upon musicians, Hamish Anderson turned inward and emerged with “Everybody,” a song that beautifully chronicles the journey from isolation back to connection. Released in October 2024, this alternative rock offering reveals what happens when an artist faces that mirror of self-discovery after years of constant motion.

What immediately captures attention is Anderson’s reverent approach to the electric guitar. Having returned to his 12-year-old self during lockdown—that kid playing along to Buddy Guy and Hendrix records—Anderson infuses “Everybody” with a soulful guitar presence that feels both nostalgic and vitally present. The carefully crafted tones and deliberate phrasing show an artist reconnecting with his first love, letting the instrument speak its own emotional language.

The production choices reflect Anderson’s pandemic-era experimentation, particularly in the percussion. Having missed “that feeling of locking in with a loud drummer,” he created a rhythmic foundation that borrows from diverse influences while maintaining cohesion. This attention to rhythmic detail provides the perfect foundation for his expressive guitarwork to soar.

Lyrically, Anderson taps into universal experience with lines acknowledging collective struggle: “Everybody’s felt this way/Everybody knows this pain.” This chorus anchors the song’s emotional resonance, offering solidarity rather than simple platitudes. When he opens with vulnerability—”Some days I wake up feeling low”—the confession feels earned rather than performative.

What distinguishes “Everybody” is its authenticity in balancing darkness and light. The song doesn’t rush toward false resolution but instead creates space for both struggle and hope to coexist naturally. Anderson’s guitar solo midway functions as its own emotional narrative—beginning tentatively before building to more confident, assertive phrases that mirror the lyrical journey.

Anderson has crafted a musical reflection that honors his influences while remaining unmistakably his own. In “Everybody,” he reminds listeners that finding your way often begins with realizing you’re not alone in feeling lost—and sometimes, salvation comes through six strings and honest expression.