Dance Gavin Dance released their eighth studio album, Artificial Selection, on June 8, 2018, on Rise Records. In support of the album, the band toured on The Artificial Selection Tour, as well as touring as support on American post-hardcore band Underoath's headlining North American tours in 2018.
Recording
On January 22, 2019, Dance Gavin Dance's lead guitarist Will Swan revealed on Twitter that he was recording new material in Portland, Oregon, at Kris Crummett's recording studio Interlace Audio. On the same day, vocalist Tilian Pearson replied to Swan's tweet stating "Be there in a couple days!" It was produced, mixed, and mastered by Crummett with audio engineering handled by Ricky Orozco and assistance from GiGi Zimmer. The band's touring guitarist Andrew Wells performed rhythm guitar and backing vocalson the track, with additional backing vocals from Will Swan.
Promotion
In support of "Head Hunter", the track was performed at the group's first annual headlining festival, SwanFest, and on the remainder of their Artificial Selection Tour, from March to May 2019. A music video premiered on the same day of the single's release. The band's label Rise Records released 7 inchLP vinyl and t-shirt bundles on their website.
Music video
The music video for "Head Hunter" premiered on the same day of the single's digital download release, on March 22, 2019. According to Alternative Press, " the video shows an intense shootout that takes an unexpected turn. Make sure to watch through to the end, but we can give you one hint — let them eat cake." The video features multiple easter eggs and references from the group's previously released music and videos, including references from the music video for "Inspire the Liars" and a lyric from their 2008 song "Rock Solid". The music video garnered 408,000 views within its first week.
Artwork
The single's cover art was illustrated by Mattias Adolfsson who has illustrated all of the group's studio albums since their 2007 debut studio album Downtown Battle Mountain. Replying to a fan on Facebook, speaking about the single art, Adolfsson confirmed that the illustration was not the full art and that the second half will be for the band's follow-up single. The follow-up single, "Blood Wolf", was released with the other half of the artwork on October 11, 2019.
