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The Hunna have gone from strength to strength over the past few years. Their lockdown smash-hit, I’d Rather Die Than Let You In, proved they not only had the musicality that was required of them to stand out in such an oversaturated “boyband” industry, but also that they had enough self-awareness to really show off the depths of their ardour. This week, they released their fourth studio album, named after the band, and it acts not only as a rebirth for the group in a brand new label, but a declaration to their fans that, from now on, they’re doing things their way.
The Hunna spoke exclusively to Express.co.uk in a Central London tattoo shop as dozens of dedicated fans got the band’s logo tattooed on them over jokes and countless photos.
Over buzzing tattoo machines and endless laughter and hugs, I initially mistook guitarist Dan for one of the band’s fans – on account of how friendly and casual he was about hanging out with everyone. As first impressions go, The Hunna showed beyond doubt that they are as down to earth and as real as they can get – especially considering just days later they would go on to sell out a 14-date UK tour in a matter of minutes.
This sincerity and genuineness seem to come from a tough history, however. In 2018 they postponed all of their planned tour dates to take legal action against a previous record label. On the other side of that, The Hunna are in control of their brand. Now, on the legendary Raw Power roster, they are striving to take full control of the music they are releasing.
Their fourth album, which hits store shelves today, is a self-titled venture written with gritted teeth and vulnerability in mind. Singer Ryan Potter noted that, with a new label and a new sound across 13 tracks, it was about time they released a self-titled record to show their fans that they have evolved so drastically. “It’s almost a flag in the sand,” he said. “We’ve been through a lot over the years, and we’ve grown a lot, and we were just like: there’s no better album to put our name on. It refreshes us and starts a new era of The Hunna.”
He excitedly gushed about how the album is their “best work yet” while drummer Jack Metcalfe echoed these sentiments, adding: “It’s now about taking charge with what we want to do and, without being cliche, this is the biggest new chapter [for us]. I think we’re at a stage now where we’re just… really happy.”
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A lot of this confidence comes from the staunch support they are now receiving from their management, the guys muse. “They’ve been so encouraging,” Ryan smiled. “And they’re super stoked to have us on the roster – and so excited about the album as well! So that makes us even more confident.”
Creating such a powerful album was no doubt the best way of getting back at their foes in the industry, as well. And two of the tracks in the record are viciously pointed at those ne’er-do-wells. Trash fires at Gucci-clad businessmen with more focus on the TikTok numbers than the music. Meanwhile, You Can’t Sit With Us takes aim at the bands that have deemed themselves too much of a big deal for anyone else.
“As people, we’re very positive and very open,” Ryan explained of these diss tracks. “Unfortunately, we have been through a lot and there are people who have needed to be told something sometimes. It’s just about personal experience. You’ve got to be true to yourselves, and Trash was kind of about the industry and things we don’t agree with and letting off steam and having fun really.”
He was quick to follow up: “We never start a fight but we’ll finish it, is what we always say.”
It is no doubt easy for The Hunna to feel so confident about their new album considering they recorded it with iconic music producer Gil Norton. The “wizard” (as Jack referred to him) is best known for being behind the wheel of such iconic bands as The Foo Fighters, The Pixies, Sum 41, Twin Atlantic, Busted, Band of Skulls – the list goes endlessly on. Gil’s expertise allowed the pseudo-pop-rock band to really tap into the origins of their interests. Jack pointed out: “We’re massive grunge fans – and of the noughties, and nu metal – so we wanted to sound like our favourite bands from those eras. And Gil was the right guy for it.”
By looking at self-titled with this lens, the more stripped-down album smacks of some early blink-182 or even some Fall Out Boy, with a DIY style and sound at its core. “It’s definitely a less-is-more on the production side,” Jack explained. “We’re taking it back to the old school. You can feel the organic feel of the amps, and their character.” Ryan added: “This feels like a first record. For us, it almost does feel like a rebirth. A fresh start.”
While talks of music production and excitement about their new album was all on the table inside a closed-off tattoo parlour surrounded by fans, it was not until The Hunna were stood outside between looming buildings that they really opened up about their music, away from prying ears.
Some of the later songs in The Hunna’s self-titled show a far more tender side to their songwriting than ever before. Sold My Soul feels like a confessional at the back of a bar, while Find A Way Out (Back To You) is a promise to a lover or loved one about making changes.
Ryan tensed up at the notion of touching on the latter song, before revealing: “For me, personally, it was directed at myself, my girlfriend, my sister. I was saying I hope we find a way back to ourselves … and you go through lots of different emotions. It was kind of like I hope we can get back to being good.” He noted how an unexpected death in his family put him, and those he loved, through a tough time. Naturally, the album became the perfect vessel to convert his pain into power.
“We shut out a lot of noise on this record and just started writing,” he said. “Just us three. We show lots of different sides to ourselves and, you know, life is life. Sometimes I’m p****d off and I’m angry sometimes I’m sad, sometimes I’m happy. [Songwriting] is about capturing all those moments.” With a smile, he added: “Music is a healer. And the reason we’re in a band is because we’re fans of bands. And because that music helped us, healed us – more than anything that’s what we wanted to do on this record.”
Jack concurred: “The connection with [our] fans is number one for us. And also, to uplift other people as well. That’s the main reason we do it. It’s self-healing. We’re not banging it out because it just sounds cool.”
The Hunna’s self-titled has only just been released, but they assured me they aren’t done yet. While the idea of a deluxe version of The Hunna was floated by the band, they couldn’t overstate how many demos they still have up their sleeves. “It’s kind of never-ending,” Ryan laughed. “The Hunna bank is overflowing!”
The Hunna – The Hunna is out now.
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