Album Review: she’s coming over again

Juna’s debut EP, she’s coming over again, tells the story of a relationship from beginning to end, capturing all the excitement, connection and heartbreak that comes with it. It’s a really nice introduction to a band who are clearly talented, but also have a genuine connection that comes through in their music.

The EP starts with canadian waters, a beautiful opening track that draws you in straight away. Hannah’s voice is a real feature, bringing warmth and a touch of melancholy to the song. The harmonies, with Max Horn adding some really beautiful layers, work so well together. At only about a minute and twenty seconds, it’s a short track, but it sets the tone perfectly and is a really beautiful way to open the EP.

skin on skin follows with a bit more energy, building into a more upbeat and powerful track. Hannah’s vocals are once again a standout, and Hayden’s drumming really adds to the song. There are also some lovely touches of strings that fit in really nicely. You can hear straight away that this is a band with a lot of musical ability, and they know how to bring all those different elements together.

Say so little lifts the energy again, moving more towards pop-rock. It’s a really well-arranged song that shows the versatility of the band. Max’s guitar work really shines through here, with some beautiful licks that add a lot to the track. Knowing that much of this EP is based around the relationship between Hannah and Max makes the songwriting even more interesting. You can hear that connection in the music, and there’s something really genuine about the way it all comes together.

Shut up keeps that energy going. There are hints of 2010’s pop in the sound, but Juna manage to make it feel fresh and very much their own. They have a really nice way of taking familiar sounds and putting their own spin on them, and this track is another good example of that.

Know you is another beautiful track, centred around wanting to get to know someone. Hannah and Max share the vocals here, and their voices complement each other really, really well. There’s a natural chemistry between them that makes the song feel genuine, and it’s one of those things that helps make this EP work so well.

Want me opens with an epic guitar intro, once again showcasing the musicianship within the band. There’s a lot of talent here, and it’s great hearing those little moments where the individual musicians get to shine while still working together as a band.

The final track, missing you (all the time), brings the EP to a bittersweet end. The song is loosely based on drummer Hayden’s past relationship and its difficult ending. What I really like about this track is the contrast between the sad, heartbroken lyrics and the hopeful feeling of the melody. Max’s guitar work sets things up beautifully before Hannah’s voice comes in, and the two sit together so well. It’s a really lovely way to close the EP, leaving you with that feeling of sadness but also the possibility of something new.

One of the things I really like about she’s coming over again is how naturally the songs fit together. The EP follows the journey of a relationship, with the songs written for each other finding their place in that story. It gives the release a real sense of purpose, and you can hear the connection between the people behind the music.

Juna are a really exciting prospect. They’re building momentum and finding their own way forward, and one thing I really admire about them is how they approach what they’re doing. They aren’t sitting around waiting to be discovered. They’re getting out there, putting themselves forward, creating opportunities and making sure people hear their music.

I also think they do a better job than most bands of connecting and interacting with their audience. You can see the community they’re building, and that connection is so important, especially for young bands coming through. Having the talent is one thing, but building those relationships and getting people genuinely invested in what you do is another.

Juna have a seven-date nationwide tour coming up in November and December, along with debut appearances at Brooklyn Twilight Festival, Rhythm and Vines, and Wellington’s Courtenay Carnival. They’ve got some exciting things happening, and I’m really looking forward to seeing them live and supporting what they’re building. Hamilton band Albert Street will also be opening for them at a few of the shows, which is another great opportunity to celebrate the talent coming through our own backyard.

And that’s really what it’s all about. We need to be celebrating, supporting and nurturing the talent coming through Aotearoa. We need to be making the effort to listen to these bands, buy their music, get along to their shows and give them the support they deserve. These opportunities don’t just happen. They grow when people get behind what our young musicians are doing.

Juna have so many exciting things going for them. The songwriting is strong, the musicianship is beautiful, and the chemistry between Hannah and Max really comes through in this EP. They’re a band who are finding their feet, building their audience and carving out their own path, and it’s exciting to see.

So, if you do one thing this week, give she’s coming over again a listen. Get around Juna, enjoy what they’re creating and help celebrate these amazing rangatahi who are putting themselves out there, breaking down barriers and doing things their own way.

Juna are going places, and I reckon they’re a band worth getting behind.