"The Pledge" - Hunter Valentine [SoundCloud Full Album Stream + Zumic Review]

This past Valentine's Day, all-female Toronto rock band Hunter Valentine released their fourth studio album: The Pledge EP.

The band is currently on their So Long For Now tour before going on an indefinite hiatus. Original members Kiyomi McClosky and Laura Petracca have been keeping Hunter Valentine strong for 11 solid years. The Pledge, with its bittersweet pop rock songs, feels like an appropriate farewell gift for their fans.

The six song EP was produced by Tom Thacker and recorded at Sonic Debris Studio in West Babylon, NY. Band members on the recording include Kiyomi McClosky (lead vocals and guitar), Laura Petracca (drums and back up vocals), Leanne Bowes (bass and back up vocals), and Lisa Bianco (lead and rhythm guitars, back up vocals), with additional help coming from Tom Thacker (keyboards and programming).

Kiyomi McClosky spoke with AfterEllen about the theme of the EP:

Well, there is some relationship stuff in terms of that sort of topic where you let go and don’t hold grudges over the things that went wrong in relationships. The Pledge is about, basically, learning to love someone you’ve been with in the aftermath, telling them you’re going to love them no matter what, just in a different way. I don’t know. I think there’s a lot of growing up on the record. There’s a lot of songs about promising to just be better, a better version of me. That is what growing up is, in a way.

The opening track of "Hurricane" sets the EP's tempo with a late '90s punk rock feel containing energized guitars and determined vocals, and is a sure fire radio hit. "Sick Sister" keeps the adrenaline flowing, and the drum heavy "Empire Of Nothing" is an emotional punk anthem.

"Blackout Nights" is a hard hitting rock gem about pushing yourself to your darkest limits. "Burn With It" highlights the band's more melodic side, while the EP's title track is a mellow, piano-laced number that closes the album out with its honest lyrics.

The Pledge is currently available on Amazon and the band's official website. You can also stream the full EP above, via the band's SoundCloud.

For the latest music, news, and tour dates from Hunter Valentine, check out their Zumic artist page.