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Van Hunt The Fun Rises The Fun Sets Album Art Square
Van Hunt The Fun Rises The Fun Sets Album Art Square

Stream Van Hunt's Funky-As-Hell New LP 'The Fun Rises, The Fun Sets' Ahead Of Its Release

Lenny Kravitz, Grace Jones, Lauryn Hill, Lion Babe, Thundercat, SZA & More Rock The Afropunk Festival 2015 in Brooklyn, NY.

As news started to drop that modern funk mastermind Van Hunt was prepping a new record, excitement began climbing quicker than the "Root Down" turn around. Over the last two months we've enjoyed the sultry, back alley strut of "Vega (Stripes On)," followed up by the clattering masterpiece "Old Hat."

And now, Van Hunt's new LP The Fun Rises, The Fun Sets has finally arrived. Boasting 14 tracks, the new album is a stunning piece of work loaded with grooves smooth enough to, yes, make D'Angelo sweat. "Vega" opens the album with its rubbery-plucked guitar, but before long we're off into brand new, blissful territory. "Pedestal" rolls along with a nylon-string melody and cascading handclaps, while "...Puddin'" nails its tongue-in-cheek Sly Stone stance.

But the big guns really come out near the close of The Fun Rises, The Fun Sets. "If I Wanna Dance With You" simmers with fraught desire, and Van Hunt takes his voice to it's veritable breaking point. Finally, things close with the waltzing title track, a reminiscent message that serves as a perfect closing credits. Van Hunt has turned in a loose, colorful album that's as serious as it is light--a funk joint for all moods and all seasons. Listening to it is a perfect way to start the weekend.

>>Stream The Fun Rises, The Fun Sets in its entirety via The New York Times.