A pair of Graham Hunt singles drum up excitement

“Emergency Contact” and “Tashmere Anthill” are testaments to Hunt’s evolving artistry.

Graham Hunt is creatively restless and prolific in near equal measure, a common theme for his songwriting during the past several years. Between 2015 and 2023, Hunt will have released six EPs and nine albums across at least six separate projects, while also contributing to other bands via live work, production work, or guest recording spots.

“Tashmere Anthill,” the power-pop songwriter’s latest track, is the second look he’s provided at his forthcoming album, Try Not To Laugh. On the August release of punchy stunner “Emergency Contact,” it was evident that Hunt hadn’t lost his penchant for inescapable earworms or thoughtful structure. “Tashmere Anthill”—released November 6—reaffirms both of those while also suggesting that Try Not To Laugh may be Hunt’s most vibrant and experimental work to date.

“Tashmere Anthill” features a few of Hunt’s more recent collaborators, most notably Combat Naps‘ Neal Jochmann on synth and keys and Blue County Pistol‘s Luis Acosta Jr. on drums. (Hunt’s live roster has also incorporated Cult Of Lip‘s Emili Earhart, Disq’s Isaac DeBroux-Slone and Shannon Connor, Sat. Nite Duets‘ Stephen Strupp, Midnight Reruns‘ Sam Reitman, and Dusk‘s Ridley Tankersley, among others.) Hunt’s masterful command of narrative remains intact on “Cashmere Anthill,” which boasts a handful of memorably playful couplets. “You’re only a pilot / If you’re flying a plane / And if you try to impress them / You’ve already lost the game,” goes the back half of the song’s chorus, painting a blackly funny portrait of doomed optimism.

But it’s not the lyrics or the tastefully melodic guitar work that stands as the calling card of “Tashmere Anthill.” That distinction instead goes to Jochmann’s thoughtful, ever-present synth and keys work. Jochmann’s additions dominate the sonic landscape of “Tashmere Anthill” and provide a great deal of vibrancy. Hunt’s increasing velocity of synth-and-keys integration has been evident over their implementation across his past few solo records, but they’ve never been this prevalent. It speaks volumes about Hunt’s commanding presence as a musician that he never gets drowned out by the litany of keys work on the track. Even in its most effects-heavy moments, Hunt remains the track’s driving force and central draw.

“Emergency Contact,” the first single from Try Not To Laugh, is among Hunt’s best work. Once again, the synth work is a critical part of the verse’s insistent, head-bobbing momentum, but “Emergency Contact” flourishes via Hunt’s colorful guitar work. And it boasts one of the most explosive choruses of his discography, making it something of a spiritual successor to If You Knew Would You Believe It opener “How Is That Different.” Much like its predecessor, “Emergency Contact” rides a steady backbeat—courtesy of DeBroux-Slone this time—and a hooky vocal melody over the verses before erupting into a monster chorus. In the lead-up to that first, larger-than-life, almost ’90s boy band-esque choral melody of “Emergency Contact,” is an unforgettable bit of lyricism. “There’s an old man blasting slow jams at the stop sign / As you catch me up on your life since your dog died. / Well, Molly’s in heaven with her opened mouth / Growling and daring God to pull it out.”   

That passage is one of a few glimpses at mortality scattered through “Emergency Contact,” each of which lends potency to the title’s invocation in the chorus. In the song’s second verse, Hunt’s lyrics explore the past (“Trash out the window like it’s 1986”), envision apocalyptic scenarios (“Driving down 94, the power grid’s on fire”), and make a subtle, oddly moving observation about grief’s mundanity (“Constantly haunted by ghosts inside of your phone”). And yet, for as bleak as the topics skew, the song never loses the sense of assurance embedded into its main hook. “You’re my emergency contact.” For as rough as things get, there’s always the small comfort of having someone you can count on to be there.

Both “Tashmere Anthill” and “Emergency Contact” debuted with accompanying music videos. Nate Kahn directed “Emergency Contact,” and Connor directed “Tashmere Anthill” (with Jochmann operating as a production assistant and as an additional videographer). Each video falls firmly in line with the lo-fi aesthetic preference that has dominated the videos Hunt has released throughout the past two years. “Tashmere Anthill,” especially, underscores Hunt’s preference for a DIY ethos by keeping the video’s production entirely in-house. Both videos, while modest in nature, pack in a lot of striking visuals and serve as strong showcases for their respective songs.

Try Not To Laugh will be released via Oakland-based label Smoking Room on December 15. Hunt has already staked his claim as one of the best punk, rock, and power-pop songwriters in the state (and, at this point, beyond), making the album’s release an event worth anticipating. “Emergency Contact” and “Tashmere Anthill” have Try Not To Laugh out to a strong start already, but the best may be yet to come.

The just-announced release show for Try Not To Laugh will take place at High Noon Saloon on the day of the album’s release (Friday, December 15). Joining Hunt on the bill is a head-turning roster of excellent Wisconsin bands: Bug Moment, Dusk, and headliners Disq. Tickets are $17 in advance and $20 day-of-show. It’s a tantalizing lineup that once more finds Hunt in great company.