Album Review: Black Honey - 'Black Honey'
Black honey have been an indie staple for a few years now and there is no band like them. They create a Pulp-Fiction-esque world of vivid retro colour, soundtracked by some incredible girl power rock and roll. Their popularity is sure to only increase with the release of their self titled debut.
This whole album is such a cinematic experience, each song would be the perfect soundtrack to different scenes in a movie; opening track 'I Only Hurt The Ones I Love’ wouldn’t be out of place playing while a femme fatale speeds down the road in a classic car while closing track 'Wasting Time’ would be the perfect song for a scene where two lovers part ways.
I Only Hurt The Ones I Love definitely gives you a good glimpse of the overall feel of this album; in your face & unapologetic riffs laced in between front woman Izzy B Phillips’ iconic vocals. The second track on the album Midnight is a little bit reminiscent of Poker Face-era Lady Gaga but is also full of their unmistakable personality and is somehow a perfect blend of pop and rock and roll. This song was released as a single not too long ago and was accompanied by a music video complete with a choreographed dance routine and excessive amounts of glitter.
While we all love those big, rocky tunes that make you want to dance, I think a good album should have a more mellow moment to balance it out. This debut has found that in 'Baby'. This one has definitely Lana Del Rey vibes.
Overall, this is a fantastic debut from Black Honey; they have managed to keep their trademark sound flowing through each track while also avoiding the whole 'each song sounds the same' issue that a few bands face. They somehow do such a good job of taking the way they style their band visually and forming into their sound so it all slots together so perfectly. This album will most definitely live up to the huge hype and fans' expectations – there’s no doubt that this will encourage new fans to get on board too.
Words by Thalia Traynor
Black Honey are on tour this October -
October UK headline tour:
13/10 Thekla – Bristol
14/10 Concorde 2 – Brighton
15/10 Academy 2 – Birmingham
16/10 Norwich Arts Centre – Norwich
18/10 Church – Leeds
19/10 Riverside – Newcastle
20/10 Stereo – Glasgow
21/10 Academy 2 – Manchester
23/10 Rescue Rooms – Nottingham
24/10 Electric Ballroom – London