HUNNY have announced their new album ‘SPIRIT!’, set for release on 26th September via Epitaph Records. The project, now solely led by frontman Jason Yarger, marks a new direction for the LA indie-pop outfit.
The band have shared the album’s lead single ‘title track’, featuring fan-recorded cheerleader vocals and layered production. The accompanying music video was filmed on a high school campus.
“When I started making the first couple songs for SPIRIT!, I was putting these high-pitched cheerleader vocals into things. I think there’s an overarching theme with the whole record of just trying to have fun and create a celebration type of vibe,” says Yarger. “There’s a nod to FOOLY COOLY in there, counting wrinkles in your brain, as well as a Killers reference. Sometimes I’ll do this thing where I sing a line from an existing song over my melody knowing it won’t make the final cut, telling myself I’ll go back and think of something different. I couldn’t shake this one. If you listen closely after that part, you can hear me in the background saying, ‘Please don’t sue me.’”
The 15-track album was co-produced by Yarger and former HUNNY bassist Kevin Grimmett, with drums by former HUNNY drummer Joey Anderson. The record was primarily written and recorded in Yarger’s LA home studio.
“There’s a lot to love about the spirit of collaboration,” Yarger explains about HUNNY’s transition away from a full band, “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.”
“I’m happily married with a child,” he adds. “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***ing silly guy and tell some weird stories on this album.”
Leave a Reply