Johnny Hunter is no stranger to dark, brooding soundscapes, but their latest single, ‘HOT MESS‘, out now via Hell Beach/Onelove Records, marks a sharp departure from their post-punk roots. The band, known for their moody new wave tendencies, has pivoted to a sound that feels like it was forged in the heat of a gritty club dance floor.
Produced by Jesse F. Keeler, known for his work with MSTRKRFT and Death From Above 1979, ‘HOT MESS’ grabs you by the throat. Don’t be mistaken—Johnny Hunter has always worn black (literally) and been covered in glitter (metaphorically), but this new sound is donned in shiny chromatic wrapping paper, delivering a sound that’s more intense, electrifying and undeniably danceable.
Nick Hutt, the band’s frontman, captures this shift perfectly, saying, “This is our first step into something new for Johnny Hunter. We wanted to create a backdrop for human reconnection after it had been taken from us. Not everything has to be so doom and gloom.“
This transition follows their May release, ‘Frustration‘, which critiqued late-stage capitalism with a glam-rock edge, as well as the band’s recent relocation to London. After closing out their Eora/Sydney chapter with three sold-out shows at Low 302—which, as usual, was a spectacle, packed with a committed cult fanbase and elaborate theatrics—they’re proving they’re not afraid to shake things up.
Their live performance style caught the eye of Jack White, who personally invited the band to support his group The Saboteurs (The Raconteurs) at their Sydney show in 2019. Their compelling presence also made an instant fan of leading UK booking agent Steve Zapp (Biffy Clyro, The Editors), who signed the band on the spot after seeing them perform at Bigsound 2023. Their 2022 debut album, ‘Want‘, produced by Jack Moffit (The Preatures), also received widespread adoration, making a die-hard fan out of everyone within earshot.
In summary, ‘HOT MESS‘ pulls you in a different direction—one where the echoes of their post-punk past meet the pulse of a new era. ‘HOT MESS’ is a BIG statement, there’s a shift in the air —Johnny Hunter is evolving.
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