Album Review: Black Honey - 'Fistful of Peaches'
Black Honey are daring and courageous on their striking new record Fistful of Peaches.
British indie-rock band Black Honey are back with their third studio album Fistful of Peaches, and it may be their best yet.
Formed in Brighton in 2014, they released their debut EP in the same year, and spent a few years touring, playing festivals, and supporting bands such as Catfish and the Bottlemen.
The band’s debut self-titled album arrived in 2018, and they continued to play festivals around Europe.
Their second album Written & Directed was released in March 2021, and in that year, they embarked upon a UK headline tour.
Charlie Bronson, the first single from Fistful was released in August 2022, and it’s a very strong, bold song, as the title would suggest. Opening with heavy distorted guitar, the band let us know exactly what we’re in for from the get-go. The chorus is explosive sonically, and the verses are slightly sinister lyrically; “Big smile just like Harley Quinn/With diamond fine cut Ritalin” lead singer Izzy B Phillips delivers.
Another single, Heavy, follows, and it packs just as much punch. “Serotonin let us down/Don’t wanna watch the white horse drown/Never-ending therapy ‘cause my head is the enemy” Phillips sings during the pre-chorus, referencing a famous scene in the fantasy film The NeverEnding Story. The song is electric and incredibly exciting sonically, with solid rhythm guitar and fantastic vocals.
Up Against It is a true standout on the album, and a very clear choice for a single. It’s an incredibly comforting track, and even though it’s loud, it’s almost feels like a warm hug. Speaking on the meaning behind it, Izzy said: “This song is an open love letter to my younger self. And to every young discriminated and marginalised person out there.” The song is certainly an anthem for anyone unsure of themselves. “Give yourself a break, kid/You were up against it, don’t you know? The odds weren’t in your favour, it’s just bad behaviour” Philipps tells us reassuringly during the eruptive chorus, whilst guitars and drums urge her on.
Singles Out of My Mind and OK are also exceptional songs, both sounding massive and spacious, the former a track about wanting to escape your head, the latter appearing to be a love letter directed to whoever it’s written about, in a similar vain to Wolf Alice’s How Can I Make It OK?, with an exhilarating guitar break, as the line “I just want you to be ok” is repeated.
Fistful of Peaches is a record that doesn’t shy away from talking about mental health, insecurities, fears, and everything else that comes with living in the world we do. (Songs such as Rock Bottom and Cut the Cord showcase this) However, as previously mentioned, it’s also very comforting and listening to it makes you feel that everything will be okay ultimately. Izzy Phillips herself said: “Most of this record is me trying to figure out where the line is between normal mental health and when you’re having breakdowns every day that then becomes part of normal. I thought everyone cried every day, I thought everyone had traumatic flashbacks and nightmares. This album is like, ‘what? I didn’t have to do that?’ It’s like opening a new door to a future that I didn’t think possible, but it’s also soured by the realisation that I had to suffer through so much that I shouldn’t have had to.”
Track 8, I’m a Man, is dark and undaunted, matching the lyrics and tone. A song about misogyny, Izzy’s vocals are brilliant and bold; “Do what I want ‘cause remorse isn’t my thing” She sneers during the chorus, which is followed by a guitar break that’s wacky and thrilling.
Another highlight is Weirdos, a lively, energetic track that is laced with humour and comfort. “This is a song for the weirdos, the anti-heroes” Phillips belts out.
Fistful of Peaches sees Black Honey at the best we’ve ever heard them. Every track has something to has, and there are no fillers here, everything feels necessary and produced to a very high standard. The quartet are going from strength to strength, as this album proves, arriving with a bang.
Words by Lucy Skeet
