When he first rose to fame with his critically acclaimed 2015 album Dopamine, BØRNS quickly established himself as a formidable force in the indie scene, blending a unique sound and image drawn from the Summer of Love and the glam rock era. In his new EP Honeybee, consisting of seven tracks, BØRNS continues to craft his psychedelic soundscape, lyrically focusing on love and infatuation while exploring themes of melancholy and identity.
Opening with the eponymous track, ‘Honeybee’, BØRNS begins with a stripped-back, string-focused sound that builds to an operatic crescendo reminiscent of ‘Killer Queen’. The song is a tender ode to love and devotion, with lyrics like “you will always be my destination” capturing intimacy and emotional reliance. With lush harmonies and instrumentation, the title track is a strong opener that embodies infatuation.
‘Blue Corvette’ describes BØRNS’ love for the creative process. With wistful vocals and dramatic instrumentation, he appreciates bittersweet moments, with lyrics describing the joy he derives from “sweet sad sounds.” Within the song, he elevates music-making to a spiritual experience, describing it as his “guardian angel.”
This appreciation continues on ‘Grateful For’, an ode to a lover and California. The lyrics pay homage to the counterculture tied to the Golden State, with lines like “And we can shake out all the flowers in our hair / We’ll drive to San Francisco / Feel the ocean in the air.” The track is idyllic and leisurely without becoming trapped by its slow pace.
‘Breakfast of Bohemians’ romanticises a carefree lifestyle filled with art, sensuality, and spontaneity, transitioning into a smooth merengue beat toward its closure. This sun-soaked sound transitions seamlessly into the country-inspired ‘Taylor’, describing the joy of life on the road with his love. Despite its formulaic country roots, BØRNS’ falsetto elevates the track.
‘Back to the Way We Was’ continues the road-based imagery, exploring the relationship in a sombre light. Lyrics like “Will we ever make it back / Back to the way we once was?” reflect a longing for the past, realising that some things can’t be undone.
The final track, ‘Letting Myself Go’, unwinds the joyful façade woven throughout the record. BØRNS reaches acceptance, embracing the chaos of “falling apart”, creating a powerful closure that ties together themes of identity and sadness.
Overall, Honeybee is an impactful record that tells a story of love, melancholy, identity and acceptance, showcasing BØRNS’ ability to create a cohesive narrative. Each track contributes to a journey that captures the euphoric highs of love and the introspective lows that follow.
With his last EP, Suddenly, still resonating, Honeybee reaffirms BØRNS’ unique place in the indie scene. Whether he continues with the intimate EP format or ventures into a long-awaited third album, this release leaves us eager to see where his artistic journey will take him next.
Words by Thomas Stanier
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