Adam KeysHunter & The Bear burst onto the scene in 2017, with their debut album Paper Heart being coupled with a sold out UK headline tour. Since then, the band took some time away from touring to put together album number two, which is set for release this year.
The album’s first track, Digital Light, shot to number one in the rock chart two weeks ago, and their UK tour (which is currently being re-scheduled due to COVID-19) has once again sold out. In short, minus the virus, things are looking very good for Hunter & The Bear right now.
With time on their hands, RUSHROCK’s Adam Keys spoke to the band about their current quarantine playlist. Check out their choices below:
Lord Huron – Vide Noir
(Will) A new find for me but really liking the weird sounds and rhythms behind these guys. One for the indie kids. It’s a grower not a shower.
Gregory Alan Isakov – This Empty Northern Hemisphere
(Will) This album transports me like no other can. The lyrics, the imagery, the soundscape is all perfect in my eyes. I have a bit of an obsession with space and this album plays into that like a dream. Gregory is my go-to whenever I need something chilled in my life. I often give this a spin after we play gigs to help ease me back to earth. Perfect lockdown soother.
Arctic Monkeys – Suck It and See
(Will) Since lockdown started I’ve been going backwards through some repertoires to find things I might’ve missed. This album is one of those. Not even my favourite Monkeys album but it’s bringing me plenty joy in these times. For the record, my favourite is AM. Predictable but wall to wall bangers.
Rage Against The Machine – Bulls on Parade
(John) This album always gets me gassed no matter what, have found myself listening to it loads in the past couple weeks! The whole thing is just full of amazing guitar work from Morello, all round Bad-assness and pent up aggression, can’t get enough!
Iron & Wine – Our Endless Numbered Days
(John) One for moments of calm, I’ve been bringing back some old school acoustic stuff I used to love performing. It’s full of beautiful songwriting and the whole album has a super cool aesthetic about it. This is one of those albums you can stick on and it immediately takes you somewhere! One for staring out the window on a long train journey, not that I’m going to be taking any of those anytime soon!
Sons of Kemet – Your Queen is a Reptile
(John) One word, VIBE – an unusual one but this quartet are wicked! These guys groove harder than anyone else, and a band with two drummers can never ever be a bad thing right?!
Bon Iver – i,i
(Gareth) The weird genius that is Justin Vernon. Why is it that masterminds have such basic sounding names?? This album takes me somewhere unplaceable and leaves my head feel calm. The song ‘Hey Ma’ gets me every time, I could listen to the chorus on repeat.
Stevie Wonder – Songs In the Key of Life
(Gareth) Ironic that we’re going through our desert island discs for real. This album start to finish is a story. So diverse, inspiring, funky / groovy, Stevie stood up in Hyde Park a few years ago before performing the album preaching how relevant it still is. Put aside 1 hour 45 minutes and get stuck in.
Circa Waves – What’s It Like Over There?
(Gareth) This album got swag. My pal suggested it to me a few months ago and I’ve been hooked on it ever since. I never quite realised this friend had such a cool taste in music.
Aiming for Enrike – Music for Working Out
(Chris) Imagine the biggest and best sounding Post Rock two piece on the planet, with a fetish for loop pedals and fuzz. I was able to catch this band just before the lock down started. This Album is part of my lock down essentials because obviously working out is important, but it also reminds me of the last time I drank beers and danced like an idiot. Particularly to the track “Don’t Hassle The Hoff”.
Jon Hopkins – Singularity
(Chris) Found myself going a bit stir crazy in the flat and this album complements that vibe, being such a huge sweeping sonic extravaganza. Jon Hopkin’s records always sound incredible as does this one, it’s my lock down album for when I need to focus and get shit done.
Darling West – We’ll Never Know Unless We Try
(Chris) Stumbled across this album recently and its become a bit of a soundtrack for me at the moment. Darling West are a Husband and Wife duo whose music I would describe as beautifully produced Norwegian Folk / Americana. Lovely vibes for weird times.
Need some listening inspiration to get you through this lockdown? Why not start with Digital Light by Hunter & The Bear?