The Hunna "The Hunna" Album Review
The Hunna’s self-titled fourth studio album intends to call out the insincerity of the music industry. From top label executives telling the three piece what’s “in” right now to other bands turning their noses at the band’s quick success, they’re taking shots left and right (without calling out anyone specific) and doing it with an attitude that screams “if the shoe fits, wear it.”
Coming in hot, the second track off the album, “Trash,” brings the first of many call-outs pointed specifically at label executives that tried to push and mold The Hunna into something they’re not. The Beastie Boys inspiration isn’t lost with quick-witted and self aware lines like “TikTok, TikTok / Or else you get dropped” and “I’ll bet you’ll never hear this on the radio / It’s crazy though / I guess I need to start / Handing out some fellatio.” The irritation is crystal clear in singer Ryan Potter’s vocals. They have no plans on changing and everyone else will just have to get over it.
The vibe and energy of the album go from 100 to 1 with “Find A Way (Back to You)” and “Circles.” Vocals that were full of frustration are now softer and more raw. The tone of “Circles” describes the feeling of being stuck in lockdown during the height of COVID as being a “punk-rock Truman in a one-man show”. “Other Side” and “Take a Ride” bring out that early-2000’s angsty radio rock by which The Hunna is influenced.
Reaching the end of the album, there’s another call out and even a Mean Girls reference with “You Can’t Sit With Us”. This time, The Hunna are calling out the other bands that act too cool to hang out with them. It’s very reminiscent of the outro to “Killing In The Name” by Rage Against the Machine, constantly reiterating “You can’t sit with us / Fuck you / I never wanted to.” If The Hunna is a rollercoaster, “The Calm” is that slow, gentle crawl after the final turn before the ride reaches the station to deboard.
Though the meaning is clear and well-intended, the lack of consistency in the flow of the album makes it difficult to stay in one mood for longer than a few songs. With a consistent vibe, The Hunna could have perfectly encapsulated the frustration with being a band in the age of TikTok marketing on top of providing another perspective of how COVID lockdowns affected their passions.
4/10
