First Listen: Toronto’s HUNTER delivers ‘The First Time’ under newly expanded No Neon banner

HUNTER may not be a household name, but he’s been a keen observer of dance music’s evolution for quite some time. The Toronto-based producer has helmed an ultra-successful No Neon party series for years, though now he’s expanding the scope of the brand with a newly emerging label, a new sound, and perhaps best of all, a new perspective on things. Equipped with a brooding new tech-inspired sound, HUNTER is rolling out a new EP, I Might Forgive I Don’t Forget, led by a menacing opener, “The First Time.” Ahead of the EP’s release, HUNTER told Dancing Astronaut,

“After a year of work and preparation its very exciting to be entering this new chapter of my career. Looking at the calendar and seeing that I have more music on that way than ever before is rewarding after slaving away on it for so long. I’ve put a lot into this music and truly feel its the best reflection of my taste and influences to date and I’m excited to tell a story with it and especially release it on my own label and be in control of my own destiny.”

On his newly burgeoning imprint, HUNTER elaborates,

“After [five] extremely successful years of events we have finally made a jump to being more of an all encompassing brand and I couldn’t be more proud of our team or the community we’ve built around us. I think turning it into a label is the best possible path…it gives a voice to the brand on a world level and showcases to everyone who we are.”

“The First Time” is a shadowy, mysterious techno cut, that pops and hisses through a haunting industrial soundscape. The track is oozing with noir appeal, setting a dramatic tone for the impending I Might Forgive I Don’t Forget EP.

Featured image: Jessie Walker