Colin Hay has always treated the past like a trusted travel companion, there to draw from, not live in. On Man @ Work Volume 2, the longtime Men at Work frontman reimagines key moments from his four-decade career with fresh energy, sharp perspective, and the unmistakable voice that made him a pop icon in the first place.

A follow-up to his 2003 fan favorite Man @ Work, the new collection dives deeper into Hay’s catalog with fresh recordings, hidden gems, and the kind of reflective craftsmanship that’s defined his post-MTV decades. The opening track “Into My Life” brings together Hay, powerhouse drummer Gregg Bissonette, and Cecilia Noël for a buoyant reintroduction. Originally released on Hay’s 1990 debut Wayfaring Sons, the song gained cult status in Brazil thanks to a soap opera placement that turned it into a regional anthem rivaling “Down Under.”

Hay also digs into the Men at Work vault with a new take on “Blue for You,” originally from 1983’s Cargo, and seamlessly transitions into a bare-bones rendition of “Come Tumblin’ Down” from his 2017 album Fierce Mercy. Elsewhere, he tackles division and disillusionment head-on with “We the People,” written during the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. election and featuring a verse from rapper Derrick “Solpowa” Rice. One of the album’s emotional high points comes with a haunting acoustic version of “Next Year People,” elevated by a string quartet and Hay’s trademark emotional clarity.

"I started working with Compass Records 22 years ago," said Hay. "The first album of mine they released was Man @ Work. We felt that there is now more to the story. Hence Man @ Work Vol 2. We mined some Men at Work songs, and some solo songs I feel close to. All are re-recorded, and somewhat reimagined."

Whether fronting one of the most recognizable bands of the ‘80s or touring the globe with Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band, Hay has always balanced humor, humanity, and heartache in his songwriting. Man @ Work Volume 2 shows he’s still doing all three and with even more depth.