Marshall Hamburger Unveils Debut Single: A Feel-Good Burst Of Retro Pop

There are some songs that feel like a burst of sunlight, lifting moods and shifting the whole day in an instant. ‘Thought of You’, the debut single from 2025 Australian Idol winner Marshall Hamburger, arrives Friday, September 26, and does just that. 

Since winning Australian Idol in 2025, Marshall Hamburger has quickly become one of the country’s most magnetic new voices. The retro pop-groove artist, pianist, and vocalist channels the timeless energy of Michael McDonald, Billy Joel, and Elton John while carving his own path in today’s pop landscape. With soulful vocals, vintage flair, and a commanding stage presence, he moves easily between heartfelt storytelling and infectious rhythms.

‘Thought of You’ celebrates the moments that make life feel lighter, a love letter to the joy sparked by someone special. Driven by piano grooves and retro-soul textures, it captures Marshall’s vision of music as both a means of storytelling and escape, moving the body as much as it stirs the heart. 

With a yacht-rock polish and a big, bold pop-soul sound, ‘Thought of You’ bursts to life in technicolour. A rich horn section, gorgeous backing vocals, and shimmering layers of keyboards and synths create a lush bed for Marshall’s warm, compelling vocal. Electric and acoustic guitars weave together with percussion and synth bass, giving the song both muscle and lift. The track’s chorus explodes with feel-good energy, carried by horns that punch and sway like the sun breaking through clouds.

At its heart, ‘Thought of You’ captures the universal experience of having someone who can shift your mood with nothing more than their presence in your mind. “Have you ever met that person who just by thinking about them changed your whole mood? That’s what this song is about,” Marshall shares. Written by Marshall himself, it reflects the joyful simplicity of love and connection, grounded by an irresistible groove. 

With his debut single, Marshall Hamburger steps confidently into the spotlight. Out Friday, September 26, ‘Thought of You’ is a radiant introduction to an artist already proving why he has captured the nation’s attention.