Australian born Hunz, releasing his debut solo album on Canadian label Apegenine, might be known to some of you, in the early nineties as a member of Five Musicians, and later with rock/rap group Beanbag. He has since returned to what he loves, producing and singing his own music.
The press release puts this album somewhere between Radiohead, Telefon Tel Aviv and Kate Bush, but this is quite a generalization that may deter some listeners from giving it a go… Vocally, Hunz could be compared to Thom Yorke from Radiohead, and the fragility yet uplifting tones of his voice could also be compared with Coldplay, where Kate Bush comes in I’m not sure… Not instantly appealing to me, his voice does slowly win you over, having quite a calming effect, slowly drawing you in, not dominating the music, a subtle approach that works well.
Hunz has a distinctive production sound, using disparate sounds that complement, a thread of warm keys underpins the whole album, with intricate glitch melodies, abrasive sounds and inventive beats. The warm keyboards remind me of some of Prefuse73′ other projects, managing to offset the abrasiveness with a feeling of being wrapped in cotton wool. No matter how dark the music may become, a lightness remains, and even the feeling of sorrow in some of the songs leaves room for an optimism, which makes this quite an emotive album from start to finish.
Worth a listen if you like you’re pop inventive and emotive. To find out more info on Hunz, his music, video production and surrealist art, go to www.hunz.com.au.
Wayne Stronell
