August 2017


Blue Note Records has released Popular, the 3rd album from singer-songwriter Van Hunt, which was shelved a decade ago. The album is available digitally today to stream or download.

Popular was originally intended for release in January 2008, but was pulled from the label's schedule in late 2007 during a tumultuous time for its prior parent company EMI.

In 2016, Hunt re-approached Blue Note to reconsider releasing the album. Current Blue Note President Don Was readily agreed, allowing the album to finally see the light of day.

“Popular was so far ahead of its time that it sounds fresh today and reaffirms Van Hunt as an important musical voice,” says Was. “The opportunity to right this wrong is both karmically and musically solid.”


Track List:

https://vanhunt.lnk.to/Popular

2 things...
1- how can this not have been released earlier while total shit is being released on daily basis?
2- if it's just a digital release, couldn't he has released it by himself 10 years ago?

Back in 2009, this is how Van Hunt answered that question: "I asked them if I could buy back the masters, but they wanted twice as much as they put into it. I told ’em I couldn’t afford it and we left it at that.”

I wasn't expecting to see that! Wow! Exciting news!

His trajectory as an artist is so exciting to watch. He was pigeonholed as a neosoul artist with his first album and he has continued album after album to seek adventure rather than be the standard musical cut-out for the music industry.

Read Hunt’s full statement at vanhunt.com.

There probably will be a physical release in time. At least I'm hoping there will be. If he can agree to release it digitally, I don't see why not.

New Interview

I guess Popular is his swan song then...

Given that he made a comment about not wanting to make music that has a commercial expectation, I figured he meant he was still gonna continue making indie music on his own, but then later on he says he wants to go back to England but it won't be to perform.

So I guess that means he is done?

Damn.

The startling release of Popular this month combined with the news of his retirement has left me elated and distraught in equal measure.

"Ur Personal Army" is a jam. I like that song. I thought this was a new album. I guess kinda new. i never heard it.

phunkdaddy said:

Damn so he's retired.

Yes. He's mentioned it again yesterday on social media.

I'm hoping he's gonna release one more album before he properly bows out, but it looks like that ain't gonna happen if he's talking about retiring on social media.

By the way, how many other artists have said they were going to retire and then they came back?

We'll see what transpires, I guess.

Its possible to really and truly retire, but never there's nothing stopping him from coming out of retirement later. Although it would prob' be further in the future. Just as its possible to not retire, but not put any new stuff out for a long time (D'Angelo).

Artists gotta do what they feel at the time.

If he retired it would still be impressive what he released

In the context of pop albums fashioned by R&B auteurs, Popular stands toe-to-toe with Parade.

It's Van Hunt's masterpiece, and I'm glad it was finally released!

phunkdaddy said:

Damn so he's retired.

I won't miss him.

babynoz said:

Use in Case of Emergency stands up to , dare I say, AOA, Hit N Run Phase 1 and 2. If you don't own it, you should.

phunkdaddy said:

babynoz said:

I won't miss him.

LMAO I thought he was good. He came out the gate banging but his latter releases were disappointing.

I feel totally opposite. he came out as a template then expanded.

He won't retire.

This might be my favorite Van Hunt rocker.

Dasein said:

Identity said:

Use in Case of Emergency stands up to , dare I say, AOA, Hit N Run Phase 1 and 2. If you don't own it, you should.

No they do not.