Release Date: | 21/06/2024 |
Format: | LP Colour |
Label: | Fat Cat |
Catalogue Number: | FATLP128X |
Honeyblood’s acclaimed self-titled debut album was released a decade ago in July 2014. To mark the occasion, a 10th Anniversary Edition has been issued on translucent blood red vinyl. An album tour has been announced and starts in May.
Recorded in just ten days in Connecticut, US, with producer Peter Katis, Honeyblood’s self-titled debut album was laid down in just ten days. Despite their then-fledgling status and minimal setup, the songs came fully formed and perfectly assured. With nothing extraneous, the music is driven through tightly bound instrumentals and laced with the sheer strength and beauty of Stina’s voice.
The songs resonate with deep melodic hooks, and an uncomplicated charm that at the time drew comparisons to the likes of The Dum Dum Girls and the strident delivery of Jenny Lewis. They cited the darker currents of The Breeders, PJ Harvey and Throwing Muses as lifelong influences.
From the urgent guitar and dive-bomb drums of opener, ‘Fall Forever’, the album twists through the gutsy punk of ‘Killer Bangs’ to reveal discordant anthems like ‘Super Rat’. It has pared-down, alt pop gems in the likes of ‘Biro’ and ‘No Spare Key’, but also more country-influenced moments like ‘(I’d Rather Be) Anywhere But Here’, ‘Braid Burn Valley’ and ‘Bud’.
‘Honeyblood’ pulls in elements of lo-fi punk rock, unfettered indie pop and a deep-seated passion for classic rootsy song crafting that helps give the album something of an undeniable feel.
“There are a tonne of wicked reference points to get excited about - a vague hint of The Vaselines, nice touch of Velvets two-chord simplicity and even bit of Moz (solo, circa ‘Viva Hate’) chucked in for good measure in the melody” - NME
“Achieves special merit points, not just for its irresistibly perky two-minute popsmarts but for productively moving the post-White Stripes formula on in a way that many have tried and many more have failed to do.” - MOJO
“If you’re looking for some sugary crunch to your day, ‘Killer Bangs’ is the ticket, with rolling drums providing the backbone for toothache-inducing guitars and one hell of a central hook.” - Pitchfork
Tracklist:
Fall forever
Super Rat
Anywhere But Here
Bud
Killer Bangs
Biro
Choke
No Spare Key
Joey
Fortune Cookie
All Dragged Up
Braid Burn
Super Rat (Old Mill
Recordings)
Bud (Old Mill Recordings)
Biro (Old Mill Recordings)