MOG Editorial Review

Van Hunt's got a penchant for interspersing contemporary soul with rock, often in a funky punk rock idiom, something that's further explored on What Were You Hoping For?, his latest. His sense of humor along with his all-around musical prowess allow him to tie such potentially disparate styles together fluidly. His prior album Popular was shelved by Blue Note, mostly because of that eclectic sensibility, which makes it even sweeter that What Were You Hoping For? is one of his best records, if not the very best of his four. It relies on blown-out drums, distorted guitars, tastefully implemented keyboards, clever studio sounds, and a direct, soulful delivery. But his compelling set of pipes really takes center stage here, bringing his songwriting to life with verve. Curtis Mayfield-via-Cody ChestnuTT tracks like “Falls (Violet)” and moving slow jams like “Moving Targets” keep soul music sounding fresh, and “Eyes Like Pearls” is a bangin’ radio ballad. The title track begins with a collage of sampled TV voices, then transforms into a bizarre guitar-pop throwback. Being Van’s first self-produced and self-released record, What is more than a cut above.