Single Review: Black Honey - 'Bad Friends'

Imposing, dark, moody, yet powerful, enchanting and an electrifying piece of electro indie pop. 'Bad Friends' is the first single to be taken from Black Honey's, as yet untitled debut album, due for release later in the year, and for those of you who have been following this band from their early incarnation I can only assume you are just as elated as I am!

Opening with a solitary church bell reminiscent of a funeral in some hammer horror film, throw in some lighting and glitchy home made visuals and the opening frames of the video accompanies the track flawlessly. Lead singer and front-woman of the band, Izzy Phillips, has long empowered women and for this video she has opened it up to them.

Izzy explains: “We wanted to explore how widespread feelings of loneliness can be with this video. The women in the video are all self-directed, there was no brief and everything was their own artistic interpretation of the song. I chose women I found online I find interesting and beautiful in their own artistic way. I wanted to celebrate the insides of women minds – explore their relationships with their own reflection.”

'Bad Friends' shows off a different, sleeker side to the rock band, with synth-vocals and heavy grungy guitars and massive drum beats, the song could easily be a Lady Gaga, Rihanna or Charlie XCX track. Black Honey manage to create a piece of art and show they can keep things fresh and interesting, however I do love their more carefree, nostalgic and DIY feel that fills their previous releases, but I can see this new direction winning over a lot of new fans and I am truly excited for the future of the band and the album release.

Black Honey are soon embarking on a mini tour ahead of festival season. Don't miss out.

09/05 Welly Club, Hull
10/05 Sugarmill, Stoke
11/05 The Leadmill, Sheffield
13/05 The Globe, Cardiff
14/05 O2 Academy 2, Oxford
15/05 Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth

Words by Rachel Prew