Cheer up, Hunx. ‘Hairdresser Blues’ is much better than ‘Too Young To Be In Love’.
2012, Hardly Art
6.3 / 10.0
Seth Bogart, the openly gay indie musician known as Hunx, has dropped ‘His Punx’ for his first solo release, Hairdresser Blues. Sticking to his formula of indie rock modeled after ‘50s and ‘60s pop songs, Hunx doesn’t so much break new ground, but his songwriting is stronger on Hairdresser Blues with catchier songs than last year’s Too Young To Be In Love. Hunx still sings in a nasally feminine tenor that may or may not be off-putting to some listeners. If anything, his singing style is a reminder that he’s singing about boys rather than girls. The jangly lovelorn “Set Them Free” is Hunx at his very best, punching up his music with more emotion than he’s ever shown. Hunx is better known for his more playful singles, and none are more playful (and naughty) than “Private Room”, which is about getting a private room and er…banging.
My only issue with Hairdresser Blues is a similar one that I encountered when listening to Too Young To Be In Love – the album doesn’t have much longevity to it (perhaps why he puts out a new album each year). The reason is not because Hunx uses a retro sound for his music. There are plenty other artists who do the same thing without it hampering their credibility. What works against Hunx is his sexuality because it works as a gimmick when attached to his music. Basically he’s reimagining classic female pop songs, only with a male lead pining after boys. A listener may encounter a Hunx song and think he’s going for parody since the music is performed in a fun, jaunty presentation. I can only see Hunx moving past this by stepping into more modern territory and taking a smidge of pep out of his step. If that never happens, I’ll still enjoy what Hunx does but just as novelty rather than as a serious effort.
Purchase: Hunx – Hairdresser Blues
![The Teardrop Explodes – Wilder [2013 Reissue] Review](http://www.earbuddy.net/wp-content/uploads/the-teardrop-explodes-wilder-reissue-50x50.jpg "The Teardrop Explodes – Wilder [2013 Reissue] Review")
