Photo Credit: Frank Fieber
Words: Abi Jones

Powering through Brighton’s music scene, indie rock band, Black Honey, have crafted yet another album moulded by raw lyricism and fierce vocals that’s been polished into a crisp production. Soak is their fourth album, the youngest child among A Fistful of Peaches (2023), Written and Directed (2021), and their self-titled debut album (2018). Formed in 2014, after navigating and exploring their sound for over a decade, Soak is immeasurably more mature and intimate compared to their previous work. The quartet have achieved the perfect balance of keeping their familiar sound while confidently delving into new sonic and lyrical horizons. Fronted by Izzy B Phillips, Black Honey’s work is predominately written by her, putting herself in the vulnerable spotlight to capture her own personal highs and hardships.

Ahead of the album’s release, singles; Psycho, Dead, Insulin, and Shallow were released to tease fans with what to expect from the band’s striking new project. Psycho, being the first, opens listeners to the more playful, lighthearted side of Soak. Arguably, Psycho is the lone wolf of the album, with more pop influences and snappy staccato vocals that stray from the other tracks. This bubbly song is the band reaching out and driving away from their typical guitar-heavy sound, which is still prevalent throughout the rest of the album. The spoken word bridge retrieves the alternative element of classic Black Honey, with Phillips speaking, “no one cares about the art, they just care how you got there.”, a statement that would usually go unnoticed in mainstream radio pop. Later singles, Dead, Insulin, and Shallow, carry the album’s heaviness, both lyrically and sonically. Insulin is Phillips’ unfiltered account of her experience with sexual assault. She spits out, “you’re fucking with my insulin”, which is undeniably a brilliant example of her talent as a songwriter. It’s the perfect song to open the album, it doesn’t ease listeners in, it throws them into the deep end of what Soak is all about.

Soak, being the title track, naturally stands out and fully embodies the unsettling aesthetic of the album. We’re given a plethora of layered vocals that produce a shoegazey kind of vibe which is equally haunting and hypnotic. This track is just like a rollercoaster, the bridge becomes a whisper then suddenly bursts into a huge production as it returns to its final chorus. Vampire In The Kitchen is similar, as its quiet, acoustic nature is interrupted by an explosive instrumental segment. After the repetitive chorus of, “think I wanna dance”, the drums build up and an electrifying guitar riff cuts through to completely arrogate the track, creating a phenomenal and dramatic performance like no other in Black Honey history.

Slow dance follows steadily after this theatrical song. This is the smooth, dreamy one that holds emotional weight relating to Phillips’ personal experience with autism and ADHD. Much like Soak and Insulin, Philips’ vocal delivery is breathy and whispery, which contrasts the weight of the lyrics and harsh, heavy instruments. She recites, “I’d rather be invisible than overrated”, which can surely be used as a motto for other people who are going through a similar experience to her.

Medication is a slow-burn that demands more from the listener to fully appreciate, especially upon first listen. As well as the closing song of the album, it’s also the longest, which might be hard to indulge in from the beginning, especially due to its repetitiveness. Its gospel-like energy is soothing and a light way to finish off the album.

Although there’s a wide range of songs, none are fillers. The only weakness is that some tracks are slightly repetitive and have a similar sound. That being said, it’s admirable how they all fit the uneasy nature of the album cover and overall atmosphere. None of them feel out of place. They all share lyrics that are meaningful with carefully structured musical production, whether they’ve been brought to the spotlight as a single or not.
I would like to say that this album is perfect, but it’s not. And that’s the best part about it. Soak showcases vulnerability and truly represents Izzy B Philips as the person she really is. I think it’s safe to say that Soak is Black Honey’s best work to date.