Honeyblood

Those that have enjoyed Honeyblood's more punk-rock moments will be pleased to hear that they've made a more high-octane album than many may have anticipated. Stand-outs like giddy pop-punk belter ‘Sea Hearts’, and first single ‘Ready For The Magic’ are some of their most intense tracks to date. ‘RFTM’ deserves a special mention as a remarkable introduction to HB 2.0; detuned doom riffage and disco-punk rhythms make space for a tornado of a chorus ode to “the explosive nature of infatuation”. Cat’s first full-length foray with the band is something of a revelation, imbuing the sound with a vital and versatile new rhythmic flair and creativity. Now Honeyblood’s rhythms do much more than hold the beat. Cat’s drums are as musical as any instrument on the album, showcased on tracks like ‘Gangs’ and ’Hey, Stellar’ where her off-beat distinct grooves underpin a gorgeously swooning chorus topline. “When Cat joined the band, instantly Honeyblood’s sound developed,” Stina remembers of the instant influence of her whirlwind drummer who replaced Shona McVicar in 2015. “Then as I started coming up with ideas for songs, it was to play our strengths as this new duo.” ‘Walking At Midnight’ is new territory for the band, a piece of nocturnal mid-pace pop melodrama that gives some respite from an otherwise frantic record. ‘Cruel’ is cut from a more classic cloth, a swoonsome ballad; it’s one of the rare displays on the album of the rootsy musical lineage that Stina grew up in. Always a natural chorus-sculptor even in her band’s most discordant and ramshackle moments, Stina’s songwriting truly has found a bright new spotlight on her band’s second outing. ‘Babes’…’ is resplendent in the kind of effortless chant-a-long hooks that one by one will all soon become their own mantras. For a while now Honeyblood have been talked about as one of the most exciting new UK bands, but with ‘Babes’…’ you just get the feeling that before long they’ll be simply be known as one of the most important bands around, period.