Recommended Tracks: Dark Times, Cover You, I’d Rather Die Than Let You In
Artists You May Like: Hot Milk, As It Is, Sundara Karma
When life knocks you down, you can either stay down or get back up. If you’re The Hunna, you will not only get back up, but you will also make one hell of a redemption album. Their latest effort, I’d Rather Die Than Let You In, is the start of a whole new beginning, a whole new band. They confront inner demons, expose some of their darkest secrets, and release all of the anger and pain they have experienced as a band over the past couple of years.
Taking no time at all to set itself apart from the band’s previous two albums, I’d Rather Die Than Let You In begins with a spooky intro. Containing all of the charm and allure of your typical ghost story, “One Hell Of A Gory Story…” grabs your attention and never lets it go. The music establishes an air of anticipation, slowly conjuring something existential, while also painting a fitting scene; you can easily imagine a group of strangers sitting around a campfire, listening to lead singer, Ryan Potter, as he tells them disturbing tales of modern day. After the chills have settled, we proceed to the rest of the album with caution.
Even though the album sets up a darker, heavier vibe for The Hunna, the songs allude to familiar themes and topics we are used to hearing from the band. Feelings of desire are very present on “I Wanna Know,” while feelings of camaraderie, “misfit pride,” and strength, shine through on “Young & Faded.” The snappy, direct lyrics, along with the straightforward and assertive music, work together to show off the band’s resilience. It is clear that The Hunna is still here, but they are done playing nice.
On the whole, the album serves as a mirror of the world, reflecting all of the tragedies and fears that unfold on a daily basis. If there was ever a track that could summarize the chaos of 2020, it would be “Dark Times.” Ryan packs as much as he can into the song’s 2:46 runtime, singing, “Wish that instead of fighting ourselves, we could put our weapons down and help,” and asking, “Doesn’t anybody out there have a soul?” This year has been enough to drive us over the edge, which brings us to “Lost.” Reminding us that it is alright to feel upset and confused right now, “Lost” encourages us to protect our mental health and make it a priority.
After a few more invigorating tracks, we come to a significant finish with “Horror” and “I’d Rather Die Than Let You In.” Beginning with a sample from the local news, “Horror” depicts the devastating reality of wildfires and global warming. Wildfires have been occurring more frequently, and to a catastrophic degree. Each time Ryan sings, “There’s fire in the hills again,” our hearts break. From there, we reach “I’d Rather Die Than Let You In.” The title track is a culmination of everything we have heard, as if the previous songs were building up to this moment. Its energy is almost tangible, and we believe Ryan when he tells us, “It isn’t over yet.”
If I’d Rather Die Than Let You In was a person, it would be The Hunna’s moody, angsty cousin. There is a playful, experimental aspect to the album, as The Hunna have always embraced unique sounds in their music, but the intensity has been cranked up to an 11. The lyrics are as relevant as ever, and we feel much affected by the messages that are relayed. The band has produced their strongest project yet, and I am glad they did not let life keep them down.
You can listen to I’d Rather Die Than Let You In on platforms like Apple Music and Spotify.
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