Hunny- SPIRIT!
In an era where artists often gouge at their souls in pursuit of melancholy, joy can feel almost radical. With SPIRIT!, Hunny capture with striking authenticity the act of putting a bit of life’s beauty back into music.
The record grounds itself within a familiar image of joy– the American high school, a place which effectively carries the unfiltered feelings of youth. Its opener, ‘title track’, along with other moments across the album, features cheerleader vocals (recorded by real Hunny fans), pulling the listener straight into that exuberant headspace. The inclusion of a The Killer’s lyric which Jason Yarger, now leading Hunny alone, originally intended to cut from SPIRITS!’ opener but instead now shrugs off by joking “Please don’t sue me” perfectly encapsulates the album’s vibe: a high-intensity hook-laden burst of chaotically filled fun.
The album continues along a path that winds through many shades of alt-pop, experimenting with instruments and effects at every corner. ‘POV ur dead and I’m checking my hair in ur sunglasses’ leans on a restless drumbeat and playful handclaps, whilst the raw drum track driving the verse of ‘tired of u’ evokes something off Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS. Combined with its electronic flourishes, this blend gives the song’s call-back to youth a distinctive identity.
On the topic of the album’s oozing joy Yarger had to say: “I’m happily married with a child. You know, there’s not too much tortured stuff for me to write about anymore. I love that songs I’ve written have resonated with people, but I also loved the opportunity to just be a f**cking silly guy and tell some weird stories on this album.” In explanation of his decision to go solo, the singer continued: “There’s a lot to love about the spirit of collaboration, but at the same time, approaching this album without having to compromise was such a freeing feeling. I could just let whatever ideas I had run wild.”
The record’s pure momentum is evident of this inhibition to run wild. Recorded in his LA-base home studio, he was able to capture every absurd thought and experience. Yet, this unchecked energy proves to be the album’s weakness. SPIRIT! repeatedly leans on the same vitality which is found in the opening tracks, leaving no room for a ballad or even just a moment of reflection.
The closest Hunny comes to this is in ‘i can see my house from here’, which emerges as the record’s standout moment. Still, it falls short of breaking from the established pattern. Despite this, ‘i can see my house from here’ is the most lyrically playful track on SPRIT!. From the comfort of a flight, the song transforms what is below into vivid imagery of nostalgia: “I can see my house from here / A swimming pool half full of tears / Shed for you.” This elevated perspective turns personal reflection into something almost cinematic, offering a rare pause amid the album’s relentless energy whilst highlighting that Jason Yarger is more than capable of exploring the emotional through the surreal.
It can be said without doubt however that SPIRIT! accomplishes precisely what it intends. Through its use of humour the album achieves a charisma and straightforwardness, allowing the listener to just sit back and enjoy the vibe.
Josh Parsonage
★★★☆☆