EP Review: The Hunna - 'blue transitions'
The Hunna’s ‘blue transitions’ EP is a strong emo ride through the gritty times of a tough relationship, and rising above the challenges.
The band – singer/guitarist Ryan Potter, guitarist Daniel Dorney and drummer Jack Metcalfe – have chosen now to release their first standalone EP, releasing a song a month since July.
The five-track project finishes with the title track and a limited run of physical copies, following on from a string of dates supporting Las Vegas rockers Palaye Royale and ahead of their own headline shows later this month.
Potter described ‘blue transitions’ as “a set of powerful, melancholic songs taking a deeper look into the transformations and changes that occur naturally in life between two individuals”.
EP opener ‘hide & seek’ was The Hunna’s first new music in three years when it was released, telling the story of a relationship in transition. The self-produced track sets out their emo stall over Jack’s rolling drums as Ryan sings “set me free, that’s what you’d do if you care about me”. It’s the first of the EP’s many explorations of blue meaning sadness in the context of love and compassion.
August’s ‘bloom’ follows on as Ryan’s heartfelt vocals rise to the fore when he sings “I think it’s time that we both took some space” over a slower acoustic track. Meanwhile the poignant ‘tough love’ analyses the different elements of relationships, both good and bad. “We’ve been feeling stuck, we’ve been tripping up, tough love” is a lyric that will resonate with many, as you fight to find the right elements of emotional connections that overcome your past traumas.
Last month, The Hunna issued ‘clouds’, a wiser, more mature outlook to the ‘bad’ things that happen, and reframing them positively. It is lyrically strong, with the repeated lines of “come over if you like” and “it’s over now”, the latter acting like a chorus and mantra. The track’s flowing atmosphere shows how the hardest moments can become gateways to personal growth.
The five-track EP ends with the title track, which takes the band’s eternal energy and wraps it up in an autumnal feel, naturally fitting the transitional nature of the project. The season with leaves on the pavement feels like the ideal time to unleash ‘blue transitions’, as the band rock their way through lines such as “well I never, no I never, knew another like you” and “yeah I figured it out”.
The Hunna have played big festivals and venues, as well as album chart success. This EP is a swerve in terms of delivery, but the band are not afraid to venture into new territory as they get in touch with their feelings amidst the uncertainty of real life. They may sing about “feeling stuck” in ‘tough love’, but they’re capable of working through it.
2026 marks ten years of The Hunna’s debut album ‘100’, and the decade has showcased a fascinating but ultimately underrated band. ‘blue transitions’ is another stepping stone in their story, but as Ryan sings, “yeah, I figured it out”. It will be interesting to see what comes next.
Words by Samuel Draper
