This album is soooo freakin' good! With this 5th album, Van Hunt has cemented himself as my favorite artist. It's fun experiencing an artist like Van Hunt as he's happening. I'm 31 years old, so when Prince was in his heyday, I was just a baby. So to experience Van Hunt as it's happening. It's something special!

The critical praise is already rolling in on the albums as well. The Chicago Tribune and New York Times are giving it some major love!

Yeah, baby! My autographed CD arrived this afternoon.

I gave it a second listen to today; it's his prettiest album yet. A bit of an aural synesthete, I
"saw" the colors rose, mauve, peach, and lavender whilst listening to The Fun Rises, The Fun
Sets (there was some soft yellows, too).

The overall production sounds like Hunt asked J Dilla to helm the boards; there are some hip-hop
flourishes that are interestingly fitted with Hunt's gift of melody. I liked the rubbery, and acqueous
base lines, and the keyboard horn patches and squiggly lines. Hunt remains one of my favorite
rhythm guitarists in the Mayfield mold. And we all know from a lyricist's standpoint, he is mostly
unrivaled.

What makes TFR,TFS an interesting listen, however, is that Hunt doesn't appear to be satisfied
with just depicting such dainty, epicene colors as the songs are presented with an acerbic grit and
growl; he's hardly effete as what can be Lovesexy's construal. Instead of writing precious songs
that cry for someone to fuck them gently, Hunt writes suavely, assuredly, and thoughtfully. Popular,
What Where You Hoping For? and The Fun Rises, The Fun Sets is the most interesting 1-2-3 punch
I've heard in Black American pop music in a very long time.

At the moment, he is without a peer in R&B and one of pop music's most interesting songwriters.

KingSausage said:

Nice! I hope mine arrived. But I'm not home to check -- I'm in the hospital because my wife is in labor. It will be a nice little surprise when I get home.

Holy crap!

Congratulations, man! Hope all is well.

duccichucka said:

P2daP said:

The album is majestic! Once again, I have to say Van Hunt is best out there right now. The reviews are starting to come in, and to no surprise it's getting high praise. The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and Boston Globe. We're all damn near poetic in describing the album. The funk site, Funktobia, gave it their highest rating of 5 afros. It's all well deserved, imo.

I'm not surprised that Hunt receives kudos from critics. It's the dumb ass hoi polloi who have yet
to realize that Hunt is making great art. But I agree with you: he's no equal in R&B/Soul music.

Kierkegaard died knowing that he would be appreciated by future generations. I'm afraid that the
same is going to be said of Van Hunt.

Am giving this a shot . Too laid back for me, I think, so far . I don't want nothin' in my puddin'...

[Edited 5/5/15 14:46pm]

purplepolitician said:

Am giving this a shot . Too laid back for me, I think, so far . I don't want nothin' in my puddin'...

[Edited 5/5/15 14:46pm]

Hmm...

After Prince released Purple Rain, a lot of fans were lusting after a Purple Rain 2.0. Instead, he
got waaaay laid back with ATWIAD. So, Hunt's in good company as WWYHF? was certainly
turnt up.

Give it another chance; there's something to be said for being subdued, softened, and thoughtful
while also being gritty, granular, and visceral at the same time too!

...I'm wondering when the media will stop referring to him as "neo-soul." He's clearly moved past
that genre into something sorta indescribable.

Identity said:

duccichucka said:

I gave it a second listen to today; it's his prettiest album yet. A bit of an aural synesthete, I
"saw" the colors rose, mauve, peach, and lavender whilst listening to The Fun Rises, The Fun
Sets (there was some soft yellows, too).

The overall production sounds like Hunt asked J Dilla to helm the boards; there are some hip-hop
flourishes that are interestingly fitted with Hunt's gift of melody. I liked the rubbery, and acqueous
base lines, and the keyboard horn patches and squiggly lines. Hunt remains one of my favorite
rhythm guitarists in the Mayfield mold. And we all know from a lyricist's standpoint, he is mostly
unrivaled.

What makes TFR,TFS an interesting listen, however, is that Hunt doesn't appear to be satisfied
with just depicting such dainty, epicene colors as the songs are presented with an acerbic grit and
growl; he's hardly effete as what can be Lovesexy's construal. Instead of writing precious songs
that cry for someone to fuck them gently, Hunt writes suavely, assuredly, and thoughtfully. Popular,
What Where You Hoping For? and The Fun Rises, The Fun Sets is the most interesting 1-2-3 punch
I've heard in Black American pop music in a very long time.

At the moment, he is without a peer in R&B and one of pop music's most interesting songwriters.

I read that twice and don't understand 97% of what you said but if you're saying that TFR, TFS is groovy then I agree.

Stayed up til midnight last night so I could buy the dl from Amazon and have been listening ever since.

His voice and guitar on I Wanna Dance With You... that's my jam.

EroticDreamer said:

duccichucka said:

I gave it a second listen to today; it's his prettiest album yet. A bit of an aural synesthete, I
"saw" the colors rose, mauve, peach, and lavender whilst listening to The Fun Rises, The Fun
Sets (there was some soft yellows, too).

The overall production sounds like Hunt asked J Dilla to helm the boards; there are some hip-hop
flourishes that are interestingly fitted with Hunt's gift of melody. I liked the rubbery, and acqueous
base lines, and the keyboard horn patches and squiggly lines. Hunt remains one of my favorite
rhythm guitarists in the Mayfield mold. And we all know from a lyricist's standpoint, he is mostly
unrivaled.

What makes TFR,TFS an interesting listen, however, is that Hunt doesn't appear to be satisfied
with just depicting such dainty, epicene colors as the songs are presented with an acerbic grit and
growl; he's hardly effete as what can be Lovesexy's construal. Instead of writing precious songs
that cry for someone to fuck them gently, Hunt writes suavely, assuredly, and thoughtfully. Popular,
What Where You Hoping For? and The Fun Rises, The Fun Sets is the most interesting 1-2-3 punch
I've heard in Black American pop music in a very long time.

At the moment, he is without a peer in R&B and one of pop music's most interesting songwriters.

I read that twice and don't understand 97% of what you said but if you're saying that TFR, TFS is groovy then I agree.

Stayed up til midnight last night so I could buy the dl from Amazon and have been listening ever since.

His voice and guitar on I Wanna Dance With You... that's my jam.

I think my main point was that Hunt's new album is his prettiest, but that doesn't mean it's
without any substance as he's a powerfully intelligent and interesting songwriter with verve.

I have to check it out. I love Van Hunt.

I AM SO SAD! I waited too late to get my autographed vinyl I thought I had one more day left to buy it from his Pledge Music. Oh well I still LOVE the album. Van never disappoints me.

Maybe I can get it signed when he goes on tour.

I also love the concept of this album.

Identity said:

Yeah, baby! My autographed CD arrived this afternoon.

Was it personalized to you? As in does it have "To: Your name"

I'm gonna torture myself for not buying when I had the chance.

His signature appears on the top left corner of the 3-panel digipak, which I folded here.

Great album! Could be my favorite so far this year. Gets better each time I hear it.

3rdeyedude said:

phunkdaddy said:

I gave it another thorough listen and I'm only digging about 5 tracks. Some of the tracks are just skipville for me. I dig the fact he challenged himself musically here some though.

I skip 'French for Cloud' and (Let it) Soak (N)'.

Everything else is , especially 'Emotional Criminal', 'If I Wanna Dance With You', and 'A Woman Never Changes'.

[Edited 5/7/15 19:11pm]

Yeah, there are a few weaker tracks but the stronger ones have me forgetting about Prince's new release and even D'Angelo's.

3rdeyedude said:

Identity said:

His signature appears on the top left corner of the 3-panel digipak, which I folded here.

Nice! Thanks for posting!

He proves a potent lyricist and balladeer ("Headroom") and the uptempo tracks crackle with energy, but this album lacks the immediate pull and flawless integration of funk and psychedelic rock that I've become acclimated to. That said, I'm glad I bought it!

Aww man, "(let it) Soak (n)" is one of my favirote cuts on the album. It's so fresh sounding. It's unique. Brilliant track! French for Cloud is another great one. It's one of the tracks that makes your head just sway back and forth as you listen to it.

P2daP said:

Aww man, "(let it) Soak (n)" is one of my favirote cuts on the album. It's so fresh sounding. It's unique. Brilliant track! French for Cloud is another great one. It's one of the tracks that makes your head just sway back and forth as you listen to it.

I'm not feelin' them (yet) but Pedastal is my current jam and would luv to hear it live.

EroticDreamer said:

P2daP said:

Aww man, "(let it) Soak (n)" is one of my favirote cuts on the album. It's so fresh sounding. It's unique. Brilliant track! French for Cloud is another great one. It's one of the tracks that makes your head just sway back and forth as you listen to it.

I'm not feelin' them (yet) but Pedastal is my current jam and would luv to hear it live.

I agree! Pedestal is definitely my favorite. I hope Van plays it live on tour because it would probably sound amazing.

I didn't like Let It Soak n at first but I like it now.