A Sydney-based artist and producer specialising in dark-pop R&B and neo-laced modern hip hop flavours, hunter 505's newest EP 'Mood' showcases an artist adept at emotive songwriting as well as creating sonic productions layered with tangible feelings.
Trap-laced beats, stabby, siren-like synths and a rigorous flow with a munted-drawl feature on opening track 'Ego', the guitar licks adding another level to the production that burst into an indie pop bop in the second half.The pounding tribal rhythm of 'Handle' keeps the aggressive momentum, the kick drum beat and bass combo infusing a freshness while hunter 505's lyrics dive into introspective territory. Kid Cudi meets 808-era Kanye feels are strong on this one.
The emotional intensity is ramped up on 'Before I Die' as hunter 505 explores a post-punk, shoegazey electronic soundscape that hearts early '80s new romantic rhythms seeded with an electronic-punk attitude.
A crunchy, slick guitar riff opens 'Heart Attack' as hunter 505 fully embraces an indie rock aesthetic before dark-pop, folky songwriting highlight the emotive drenched 'Natural', hunter 505 laying all his emotions on the line as his fragile yet honest vocals build confidence throughout.
Ahead of the release of the 'Mood' EP tomorrow (27 May), scenestr is stoked to premiere it today. Enjoy.
ego
I made the beat for 'Ego' around the original organ loop; it gave me this feeling of obnoxious pride; pure drama. For the first half of the song, hunter 505 is just flexing, feeling empowered and unstoppable.However, that type of energy is completely self-destructive, so it felt natural to develop the second act of the song reflecting on how bleak and pitiful it feels to live with such an ego. It acts as the perfect intro to 'Mood', setting the tone for some deep emotional introspection.
handle
The purpose behind 'Handle' is to express the rocky uncertainty resulting from an unhealthy mind. There are some really structural elements like the kick, the bass and the melodies and rhythms of the vocal, while the rest of the music moves more expressively.The track is menacing and murky as it swells in enormity before landing back down to earth. By the end, hunter 505 has accepted this reality.
before i die
I have always associated the sound design of post-punk and shoegaze music with sheer dread and despair, and so that is exactly the energy I came with on this song.hunter 505 is pleading with/ apologising to/ pitying himself here, just feeling miserable about everything. To punctuate the dreary guitar lead I programmed a relentless double-time drumbeat to up the urgency.
Lyrically, hunter 505 is trying to understand how he can win his better self back and find some peace. At the end of the verse, the wide synth offers a glimmer of relief before the guitars come back in and take over again.
heart attack
Raw emotion; raw vulnerability. The gritty guitars from 'Before I Die' transform into a single-voiced punk guitar riff that acts as the song's heartbeat.It was important to keep the drums acoustic and the vocal minimal in this one as it is the first moment since the second act of 'Ego' that hunter 505 is shutting out all the chaos.
'Heart Attack' finds hunter 505 in awe, effectively falling in love. He has discovered some positivity, personified by the hazel-eyed angel girl, and after she has drawn him in by the end of the verse, hunter 505 is now on the right path.
natural
The final confession. Our last track is as honest as it is empowering. hunter 505 is pouring out his soul, detailing the struggle he has faced, his conviction to move forward positively, and all for his ultimate goal: to make a difference in the world. The underlying organs, claps and bass build almost in response. The song twists and turns as if continually reinvigorated by its own spiritual strength. The final verse's lyrics were the last lines I wrote for the whole collection.
After the expressive therapy that constituted the whole project, I was determined to close with a piece as wholesome and uplifting as I could muster. The verse's final lyric sums up the song perfectly: 'If you have some trouble getting back home, this the backbone you can fall back on.'
