Melbourne/Naarm-based genre-melders Huntly have unveiled their long-teased sophomore album 'Sentimental Still' - a deeply introspective omnibus that shines an addictive light on relationships and connection.
With an eclectic sound that’s as equally suited for commercial radio as it is for nightclubs, genre-melders Huntly continues to explore their honed-in combination of off-kilter beats merged with infectious electro-pop hooks on their sophomore release Sentimental Still.
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Presented through a myriad of electronic soundscapes that rapidly change in genre and tempo, Sentimental Still ushers in quite a change-up for the Melbourne-based up-and-comers, leaving behind their indie-pop sound for the darker realms of UK garage and alternative techno. Written between 2019 and 2021, it’s a welcomed change-up, albeit a surprising one, considering the group have gone less commercial on their follow-up, although, in doing so they have transformed their sound to far greater heights.
Across its ten tracks, Sentimental Still effortlessly moves into different sonic and emotional territories; dancefloor-primed cuts meet moments of emotional euphoria with natural ease.
As an almost pre-certified dancefloor romper, ‘It’s You I’m Here For’ dazzles, with Andrew Huhtanen McEwan’s rapid Mall Grab-esque breakbeats and atmospheric trip-hop transitions providing the perfect backing to leave you transfixed on Elspeth Scrine’s enigmatic vocal range.
‘Shame’ maintains a 2-step garage quality akin to the likes of PinkPantheress, offering an insight into Scrine’s open heart as a lyricist, and the way personal experiences can be made so relatable to the outside listener, whilst ‘Make You Proud’ leans more into the likes of Jamie XX and Four Tet with its intricate percussive arrangements. Adding a level of sensibility, ‘Still Be Someone’ replaces percussion for dissonant keys in a stripped-back moment that sees Scrine’s vocals soar.
The threads of Huntly’s debut can also be felt on Sentimental Still, the echoes of Low Grade Buzz (2019) resonating on ‘My Limits’ – a track that Scrine describes as being somewhat of a spiritual companion song to Low Grade Buzz’s title track.
“It’s sentimental, nostalgic and existential, which I guess are my top three moods.” Says Scrine on the themes, they continue “It’s just a raw journal entry really, capturing me figuring out my limits – the limits of what I’m capable of, how much I can give, how much I can take. …Just like Low Grade Buzz, it was a really important “project” of a song for me, in that it distills all of the highs and lows of the whole record – and of my life really – into just a few minutes of a song.”
Straight up, in terms of the alternative electronic scene, Huntly have all of the components needed to become massive. At this point, it’s just a matter of time.
They’ve built a reputation as one of Australia’s most evocative and dynamic live electronic artists. Their debut album, Low Grade Buzz (2019) connected with audiences locally and internationally, garnering over a million Spotify streams, and nominations for the 2020 Australian Music Award and the Best Independent Dance Album.
Coinciding with the release, Huntly have announced an Australian tour following the duo’s appearance at this year’s SXSW in Texas.
Huntly Live
Friday, 17th February
Rocksteady in-store, Melbourne
Saturday, 18th February
Gaytimes Festival, Gembrook, Melbourne
Monday, 13th March – Saturday, 18th March
SXSW, Texas
Saturday, 15th April
Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
TICKETS
Thursday, 20th April
OAF Gallery Bar, Sydney
Friday, 21st April
Warehouse 25, Brisbane
Tickets on sale here.
Sentimental Still is out now Dot Dash Recordings.
