Hard rock storyteller Ghosts Of Sunset return with new single ‘Anywhere But Here‘ and their new album California Girl, out 29th August on all major platforms via Golden Robot Records.
California Girl is intended as a soundtrack for dreamers, drifters, and the damned – an emotional rock ‘n’ roll road trip through heartbreak, addiction, longing, reinvention, and the ghosts we can’t quite outrun. With each song, the band builds a cinematic universe where characters chase love and identity across shadowy motel rooms, fading neon signs, and the endless open road.
At the heart of the record is the titular California Girl, a recurring character from previous Ghosts Of Sunset work who finds herself spiralling further into the façade of reinvention. Her story – marked by imposter syndrome and the illusion of a fresh start – threads through an album rich in storytelling and throwback sonics. From the Bon Jovi-tinged drama of ‘Anywhere But Here’ to the glam stomp of ‘Little White Lies’, California Girl shifts gears through heartfelt ballads (‘Fade’, ‘It Gets A Little Worse At Night’), dual-guitar anthems (‘Get Gone’, ‘Tell The World’), and power-pop bursts (‘Nothing But The Radio‘), each track anchoring itself towards a vivid narrative with classic rock textures.
With nods to Thin Lizzy, Cheap Trick, Lucero, and 80s FM radio, Ghosts Of Sunset continue to blend nostalgia with raw emotion. California Girl is like a late-night confession, a lost mixtape, a map of every wrong turn you swore you wouldn’t take again. But like the characters at its centre, you’ll keep driving anyway.
Discussing ‘Anywhere But Here, the band revealled the story unfolds inside a modest apartment complex: Two residents, one thin wall between them, and a relationship marked by control and violence. One neighbour becomes painfully aware of what’s happening next door. As his concern deepens, so does his connection, and ultimately, his desire to rescue the person he’s come to love. The song explores the tension between wanting to save someone and recognising the limits of being a “Superman”.
“We grew up in duplexes where the walls were paper-thin and drama was constant,” the band explained. “It stuck with us – what you hear, what you ignore, what you wish you could change.”
Rooted in heartland grit and built on glossy hooks you can stream ‘Anywhere But Here’ here and check out the video below.
‘Anywhere But Here’ follow their last single ‘Fade’ issued back in June. ‘Fade’ delves deep into the heartbreaking reality of watching someone you love slowly unravel under the weight of addiction. With their signature blend of melody-driven rock and lyrical storytelling, Ghosts Of Sunset explore the emotional toll of standing by helplessly as a loved one disappears into darkness – and the crushing realization that sometimes, walking away feels less painful than staying.
In true Ghosts Of Sunset fashion, there’s a twist: the song reveals that, in a different time, the roles were reversed. The narrator wasn’t always the one watching someone fade – they were once the one fading. It’s a brutally honest reflection on the cyclical nature of pain, love, and dependency.
Fans of Ghosts of Sunset’s emotionally resonant rock will find ‘Fade‘ to be among their most affecting work yet, blending vulnerability with powerhouse instrumentation and a chorus that hits as hard as the subject matter. Ghosts Of Sunset continue to cement their place in the rock scene, combining classic influences with a fresh and modern edge.
‘Fade’ can be ordered here and you can check out the video below.
‘Fade’ itself followed April single, ‘She’s Been Coming Around‘, a track that dives that deep into the dangerous moment in a relationship when one partner is left without attention – vulnerable to the allure of an outsider. The internal struggle begins: “I don’t know how long I can hold out.”
With raw emotion and compelling storytelling, ‘She’s Been Coming Around‘ captures the essence of temptation and loneliness, tapping into the universal experience of being left in the shadows. The band’s signature blend of melody-driven rock and heartfelt lyricism makes this an number for anyone who’s ever faced the pull of something – or someone – new.
A special treat for keen-eared listeners: the guitar solo in ‘She’s Been Coming Around’ features a melody reminiscent of one of Ghosts Of Sunset’s favourite songs by Butch Walker’s band Marvelous 3. A happy accident or a subtle nod to inspiration? Fans can decide for themselves.
‘She’s Been Coming Around‘ is available here and you can check out the video below.
California Girl can be ordered here.
