★★★★☆
Sydney-based surf-pop four-piece Wild Honey have ushered in summer with the release of their dreamy debut self-titled EP.
The band is the brainchild of singer and songwriter Thom Moore, and there’s no mistaking his desire to pay homage to the jangly, psychedelic sounds of The Beach Boys and The Zombies. However, this is no clichéd tribute act. Theirs is an inspired and carefully crafted sound, made all the more remarkable by Moore’s echoey vocals and on-point observations about modern romance and impulses.
Wild Honey opens with ‘Eye To Eye’. A melodic debut single, it explores the ebbing away of a relationship. The plaintive lyrics – “According to you / I ought to be ashamed / Of what I’ve become / From my point of view / I haven’t changed at all / Since day one” – set the tone for the EP. This is followed up by ‘The Truth’, a proper toe-tapping rattler. EP highlight ‘This Time’ is a blissful blend of languid guitars and tambourine, while ‘Coming Home’ charms with strong beats and a harmonica segue.
Mixed by Simon Todkill (The Rubens, George Maple), Wild Honey is a confident EP and a great soundtrack for picnic days and trips to the beach.
Wild Honey’s self-titled album isindependently released and available here.
