Song Review - Johnny Hunter - Life

REVIEW BY: EM VIOLET

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[Photo Credit: Sam Horton]

PRAISE FOR JOHNNY HUNTER

“Making full use of the band’s enigmatic dynamism, the new track canters on with a polychromatic rhythm driven by bold and smoky bass guitars, shimmering keys, and vocals evocative of ‘80s new wave staples like Talking Heads.”
NME Australia (‘Life’)

“Johnny Hunter emerge from the darkness with a new passion for existence on ‘Life’.”
The Line Of Best Fit

“One of the most exciting and dynamic bands in the antipodean region…”
Backseat Mafia

“Johnny Hunter proves time and time again that they are talented musicians that are creating strong feelings throughout their art and really mesmerises their fans with their mysterious, nostalgic sound.”
Rawing In The Pit Media (‘Life’)

“...a collection of theatrical, propulsive post-punk gems influenced by stalwarts like Joy Division and Sonic Youth along with contemporaries like Royal Headache.”
Music Feeds

“Rocking what could best be described as a post-glam-rock aesthetic, Johnny Hunter are much more of an experience than they are a band.”
I OH YOU

“A listen to Johnny Hunter’s music will reveal punkish stories of heartbreak, overconfidence, and millennial masculinity.”
Happy Magazine

“If you’ve been paying any attention to the Sydney rock scene lately, chances are you’ve heard the buzz over Johnny Hunter already.”
Pilerats

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Sydney four piece Johnny Hunter are back with a brand new track titled “Life” which is filled with synth, great vocals, and strong lyrics that blend together to create one hell of a nostalgic track that will stay stuck in your head for weeks on end. Back in July, Johnny Hunter hit back  with darker, stand out track “The Floor” which portrays what it’s like to be at your lowest point. If you are a fan of The Smiths or Joy Division, you will love this band and their whole discography. 

The track itself erupts into the strong strums of the instruments underneath the roaring vocals from vocalist Nick Hutt which creates the perfect sound to captivate listeners straight away. The chorus is next level and a breath of fresh air as it explodes into a synth wave dream that creates a moment of euphoria before hitting back to the impressive verse.

With it’s vivid and rapturous tones, it breathes life into listeners and is certain to stick with you for a long time. Johnny Hunter proves time and time again that they are talented musicians that are creating strong feelings throughout their art and really mesmerises their fans with their mysterious, nostalgic sound. I can’t wait to see what these guys have in store for their listeners next. 

Sydney’s Johnny Hunter return to serve up its evocative visuals for their latest single ‘Life’.

Capturing the energy of the single and the deeply personal and significant meaning behind its story, Johnny Hunter worked with an international team to bring the ‘Life’ music video to fruition.

Collaborating with Johnny Hunter cross-continents, UK directors Simon Allen + SillaTape filmed the clip in London. The narrative of ‘Life’ has its origins in memories songwriter and vocalist Nick Hutt had working in bars, and seeing the effects of alcoholism on customers.

The tug of war that takes place on moral compasses and consciences, witnessing the daily deterioration of some of these people is at the centre of ‘Life’. Also at the heart of the story, the individual’s ability to choose freedom; to break the chains.

“There’s a real understanding between us and the band about how to bring their vision to life. We've blended frustration and freedom throughout the music video - pairing the despondency of a sorrowful boozer with the possibilities of the world and, by extension, LIFE itself."
Directors Simon Allen + SillaTape

The music video’s setting proved to be a perfect one: the overcast and concrete landscape of London matching up excellently with the vibe Johnny Hunter envisioned. With Sydney in a permanent state of lockdown during initial planning stages, Johnny Hunter decided to take things abroad.

“The concept for the 'Life' video was borne out of Nick's (Hutty's) lived experience and we wanted to recreate that. We discussed where and how we still might be able to breathe some life into this concept, all the while thinking of where the perfect setting might be - even if that meant it being across international waters. Very soon after, the suggestion of London was made and that was that.

We couldn't think of a better location stylistically and atmospherically. The treatment and narrative idea we developed for the clip was nearly identical to the one Patrick and Simon put forward after we first approached them. What has resulted is a film clip that dives deep into the heart of what 'Life' is all about: a bleak world drenched in a hopeless atmosphere.”
Johnny Hunter

Life is out now.
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