When I heard The Hunna were realising a new album, I was instantly thrown back to the memories of being shoulder top, shouting the lyrics to Bonfire and She’s Casual at Community Festival in 2017. So, here we are in 2020 – following two full-length releases 100 and Dare – and the boys have delivered I’d Rather Die Than Let You In…
Some well-known names, such as Pete Went from Fall Out Boy and Twenty One Pilots drummer Josh Dun, assisted The Hunna in the production of this album which aimed to iron out commons misconceptions fans interpreted when they exploded onto the music scene back in 2016.
When I first put this album on shuffle, I have to say my first feeling was confusion. Was this really The Hunna I was listening to? The band have scrapped the soft indie tunes for heavy guitar riffs and aggressive lyrics. Seemingly, The Hunna have transitioned from a new, timid band on the scene to a fully self-assured rock band who are here to shake up the genre. Anything Is Better Than Nothing is by far the heaviest song you’ll listen to on the album, and, if You & Me is your favourite Hunna song, you may want to skip past this one. The song has serious Bring Me The Horizon vibes and is probably the best example of their new punky sound.
I think it’s hard to pinpoint an overall message this album aims to evoke, as every song seems to stand independently in regards to meaning. Cover You offers an insight into the personal emotions of camaraderie and looking out for one another, and is a collab with Blink 182’s Travis Barker (a very nice surprise cameo). Horror engages with its strong, political statement within its lyricism, calling out for action against the devastation of the wildfires which occurred throughout California. The tone of this one is seemingly more serious which makes it a part of the album which really evokes your emotions and empathy towards the cause. This is accompanied by Dark Times, another track aimed to make you think.
Personally, I think I Wanna Know is the best track on the album and I can just envision standing in the middle of a crowd at Brixton academy shouting the lyrics “whatcha waiting for” over and over. The chorus has such an upbeat and punchy beat that just makes you want to jump around.
Within only a four-year time frame, The Hunna have defied all odds and shown the world they are a force to be reckoned with, showcasing their extreme versatility with the vast array of sounds and messages included within I’d Rather Die Than Let You In. The album is a perfect demonstration of the journey which The Hunna have embarked upon with their music. With 100, while a great album, they seemed rather amateur whereas I’d Rather Die Than Let You In is a clever and refined piece of art throughout.
Rating: 7/10
By Courtney McLaven
Feature Image Credit: LMW Records