New Music Review #13: ‘Colin’ by Blue Honey
I had no idea what I was walking into when I first clicked play on this song. What I discovered was the most unexpected, powerful, affecting musical experience of the year so far.
Unfurling over the course of six gripping minutes, ‘Colin’ is a staggering, heartbreaking ode to childhood pain and navigating life with trauma on your back.
It starts out as a fairly unassuming folk ballad, but there is something intangible that holds you, waiting in grim anticipation as the dreamy atmosphere swirls and builds. Maybe it’s the soft, understated power in Iris Grey’s voice – vulnerable but in total control.
At the three-minute mark, you still haven’t heard the chorus. But that might be their greatest trick. When that chorus is finally unleashed, initially revealed slowly before swallowing you up in its haunting wake, the song elevates to a new plane.
If you’ve ever seen the Dutch horror film The Vanishing, it’s like they’ve bottled the feeling of watching the last 30 minutes and transformed it into song.
The guitars swell into a stirring, intense wave of strings, as the chorus rises and rises and every beat hits you like a hammer blow straight to the heart.
It’s an astonishing musical accomplishment. And it’s their debut single.
And a few others:
‘CHEQUE' by Tasman Keith (feat Genesis Owusu): This track just goes so damn hard. Tasman Keith brings the Kendrick vibes in his flow and defiance. And then in busts Australian music’s breakout star of 2021, Genesis Owusu, to drop the most eviscerating, jaw-breaking verse of 2022 so far.
‘Feeding Time’ by Sophisticated Dingo: First off: sick band name. Adjective plus animal has always been a great band name formula, but this is top tier. Good thing the song lives up to the lofty expectations a name like that engenders. ‘Feeding Time’ is a wild, sneering sprint of thrashing guitars and catchy hooks. Very fun.
'Take My Hand’ by 5 Seconds of Summer: Yes, really. This is just a straight up great pop ballad. You’re going to hear this song on the radio so much this year, it’s going to be everywhere. Go listen to it now before you get sick of it and can’t appreciate it anymore.