Album Review: Hunter Hunted – Ready For You
2 min read
Hunter Hunted should be on a high right now. Being flown round the US as a ‘band of the month’ and performing to crowds the size of probably nothing they’ve played to before, the band appear to be taking it in their stride. And it’s with this newfound fame that they release debut album Ready For You – but does it manage to live up to the hype?
Titular track Ready For You sees us in familiar synth-pop territory with a song for the masses; big on the easy listening and heavy on the chorus drop. Strong vocals and a child-like innocence to the music keep things simple, but also addictive, as Garner sings ‘Darling you’re waiting with an open hand, patient like a boat on land’.
Operating is so catchy, it sounds like something you’ve heard before, but this doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s a well thought out track. Layered vocals bounce along into a strong chorus of melodic beauty and beats. The boys also show they can pull out a more acoustic number with Lucky Day; it might be a bit cheesy for some, but the track still manages to get your feet tapping and is likely to be a summer dance floor filler.
There is a distinct Asian feel in some of the tracks, which is a pleasant addition and really works with the music. Ghost’s Eastern-tinged riffs and sounds raise the song to another level, and leave you thinking of low setting suns on empty plains, whereas Gentle Folks uses the same trick, but mixes this in with marching drums and fast-paced lyrics. You’d be forgiven to think that this wouldn’t work, but somehow the band brings it all together into a perfect blend.
At places there does seem to be a lack of ambition, and pandering to the sound of the moment, but this can be forgiven for a band trying to break through into the ever-saturated musical market. The lyrics could also do with a little work in places, but this album should get the band a hefty foot in the door, and leave it up to them to improve these areas with their next record. Ready For You is a pleasing debut and a sign that the boys have a hunger to hit the big-time.
