THE NEW HUNNY ALBUM’S GOT SPIRIT!

Jason Yarger, frontman and lead singer of HUNNY, has conquered a new feat: his first solo project, SPIRIT!. As the remaining creative force behind HUNNY, Yarger joined up once more with former member Kevin Grimmett (the current Wallows touring guitarist) and former drummer Joey Anderson to create SPIRIT!. Still leaning into a post-punk, abstract version of their sound, while always innovating and creating something different with each album.

Spanning 15 songs, SPIRIT! — released under Epitaph records — is marking a shift in the band’s plan. With original members now going down new avenues, and Yarger now a new father, this record is an opportunity for him to shapeshift. As a farewell to the band, Grimmett co-produced SPIRIT! with Yarger. Now, HUNNY is officially a solo project.


Launching off this new era with “sidewaze,” Yarger encapsulates that perfect mix of indie-rock with a bit of pop and a shimmer of cali-surfer rock. Combined with emotionally frank lyrics, this is  leaning fully into the California-cool attitude, and a whole bunch of happiness, this was a stellar way to kick off into the new album cycle.

Graphic by Paige Firsten

Image via HUNNY / Epitaph Records

Months ago, before the first singles were announced, the lead singer took to Instagram and Twitter, asking fans to submit a chant for a new project. Fans were asked to upload voice notes, to chant: “We’ve got spirit yes we do, we’ve got spirit how ‘bout you? S-P-I-R-I-T!” Those fans' voices ended up becoming a gang vocal, being arranged and adjusted by Yarger to fit the introduction of “title track.” This fun and unique addition to the song is exactly what builds real, lasting connection with fans. In an instagram post, he shared the names of the fans whose voices made it into the song.


As far as the roll out for this album goes — the imagery and art direction — it's the first time the audience has ever seen Yarger himself on the album art. For previous releases, Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes., Homesick and new planet heaven, it's always been an object or a design on the cover. For this new cycle, featuring Yarger on the cover art as the sole driving force, I thought him in the cheerleading uniform was an amazing metaphor for the self-awareness, power and assertion this album has taken on. If Yarger doesn’t carry the spirit to continue releasing music, HUNNY ceases to exist. 

In the newest music video for “i can see my house from here,” it represents a shift in the musician’s dynamic for this project. As Yarger rides around on a motorbike, it’s like he is leaving the past behind and forging onwards into the future. In this one video, you can spot him wearing a cheerleader uniform, a football uniform and his casual street clothes. To me, this reads like he wears a lot of hats now in this solo project, like he now plays all the roles as the frontman.

Standout tracks and moments: 

  • “POV ur dead and im checking my hair in ur sunglasses” - A shorter track, but it's totally funky, with a real twist on usual HUNNY style. Again, it feels like the vibes of “title track” with a moment to act as call and response. If this one ever makes it to a live show, it would be so fun to hear and watch be performed!

  • “i can see my house from here” - Anthemic, catchy and definitely the standout track on this album. It feels like a huge instrumental peak, collapsing into signature screams, layers of vocals and energy. I seriously cannot get this one out of my head.

  • “Xing guard” - Winding guitars and a huge building bridge, this one has already begun to win my heart. It induces that reckoning of something big happening, all through the production. This song has got that magic in it that HUNNY has perfected over the years.

Overall, this album is impressive. From start to finish, it takes the listener on a complete journey, from sing-a-longs to interludes, this acts as a transition album and a new identity for HUNNY. SPIRIT! doesn’t overcomplicate itself, it's cohesive, clear and compelling. With the help of his fans on “title track,” his former bandmates in the studio or his wife and daughters love, SPIRIT! is the product of the past two years of collecting and voice notes that turn into the newest soundtrack for his indie-loving fans. 

SPIRIT! pulses with life, especially for listeners who don’t mind distortion pedals. 

Stream it here / Buy a physical copy!

Keep up with HUNNY:

Website / Instagram / Twitter / Tiktok / Youtube / Spotify / Apple Music

CRAVE MUSIC MAGAZINE

Next
Next

FEMININE RAGER: CHEAP PERFUME’S ‘DON’T CARE. DIDN’T ASK’ IS A PARTY INVITE TO THE REVOLUTION