The Hu are back with a new single, “The Real You,” out today via Better Noise Music. The band leans harder into a heavy, atmospheric approach this time, putting more Western rock elements up front while keeping the core of what they call “hunnu rock”, traditional Mongolian instrumentation and throat singing fused with modern rock.
The track was produced by Dashka (Dashdondog Bayarmagnai) and mixed by five-time Grammy-winning producer/engineer/mixer Chris Lord-Alge, and it’s available on all digital outlets with a new video.
Temka, The Hu’s tovshuur player and throat singer, says “The Real You” connects directly to what they’re building toward on album three, and he describes the mindset behind recording it.
“‘The Real You’ single is the representation of our forthcoming new album. While we have traditional songs that have our signature rhythm in our third album, there are a few upbeat, fast songs, such as this single. We recorded this song thinking of our ancestors, riding fast on the horse back through the landscape. Listen to this song to express the feelings you have buried inside and feel the overwhelming energy we pass through to you. Enjoy!”
Lyrically, “The Real You” aims at self-accountability, stop judging other people, look at your own choices, and improve your own behavior. The song pulls from a Mongolian proverb that spells it out in plain terms: “Don’t worry about what is on top of a person’s head, just worry about what is not on yours.”
It’s sung in Mongolian, but the intent comes through even if you don’t speak the language, especially when the track hits lines like: “Will you keep slandering, gaslighting, menacing, and abusing?/Is it alright to keep enduring, fearing, and hiding?”
Beyond new music, The Hu continue to stack milestones. In November 2022, they became the first rock/metal band to receive UNESCO’s “Artist For Peace” designation at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, presented by UNESCO director-general Audrey Azoulay. The list of past recipients mentioned alongside them includes Celine Dion, Shirley Bassey, Sarah Brightman, Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, and the World Orchestra For Peace. The band’s reach is massive by any measure, with over 961 million all-time streams and 483 million video views, plus high-charting releases, sold-out tours, government honors, and placements in games like EA Games’ “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order”.
Live, they’ve also got major stages lined up. Later this summer, The Hu will join Iron Maiden at Knebworth Park in the U.K. on July 11 with The Darkness, Airbourne, and The Almighty for the “Run For Your Lives” tour stop. After that, they’ll be part of Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson’s “Freaks On Parade” U.S. tour alongside Orgy, kicking off August 20 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
