To celebrate National Album Day, we’re going through the albums that mean something to us and telling the stories behind what makes them so special.
It was a long time coming but Black Honey’s first foray into the long play world was certainly worth the wait. Straying away from their earlier Tarantino sounds, they stomped forward with fresh pop sounds inspired by 80s disco fever and Izzy Phillips’ nightmares (seriously, she keeps a diary of them all).
Black Honey were the first band I discovered by myself. No help from friends, no help from family. Yeah, maybe there was a little help from Spotify, but I’m not a wizard. Their early sounds drew me in immediately. A huge Tarantino fan, their debut single, ‘Spinning Wheel’, gave me goosebumps on first listen, and the continued western sound across the EPs and further singles were enchanting. Then, there was the album.
Black Honey’s debut was a journey. For a band who were still in their infancy, the record captured the past, the present and the future. ‘Blue Romance’ and ‘I Only Hurt The Ones I Love’ was a throwback to their early singles, whilst ‘Bad Friends’ and ‘Hello Today’s’ poppier sound showed off their current state back then. Curveballs like ‘Midnight’ offered a glimpse of the future. Yeah, maybe there won’t be another 80s disco anthem from them anytime soon, but it showed they were prepared to take risks.
The day it came out, I stayed up till midnight awaiting the release, sat on my bed like a child at Christmas. It could’ve been an orange in a stocking. It could’ve been such a disappointment. It could’ve been just, OK. That kind of anxiety and uncertainty the night before, you don’t get with many records. But Black Honey’s debut LP didn’t disappoint, not one single bit.
It remains a special listen for me, a year on from its release. It’s something to put on when I need that extra boost to stand tall, put my leather jacket on, black boots, and kick it to the pub, or the club, or work, or on the way home. Whether you’re in a good mood and need something to stomp to, or there’s a grey cloud over your head and you’re looking for a lift, it’s always there for me. This album I waited four years or so for, it was well worth the wait.
Listen to Black Honey on Spotify and Apple Music. Get Volume 5 of our print magazine here.
