If I had to choose one word to describe Honey Revenge and their debut album, Retrovision, it would be “infectious.” The band plays in a sonic space that dances between pop, rock, and pop punk with a bright sound that matches the extremely colorful album cover. I first discovered them on TikTok when a friend shared a video of Devin (she/her) promoting a song and I’ve been along for the Ride ever since!
Retrovision kicks off with the perfect opener in “Airhead.” It starts you off immediately with its catchy chorus and guitar riff. Despite the lyrics exploring her perceived shortcomings, Devin’s always working “with the best intentions, [but] can’t make it right.” The band wraps up this self deprecation in a shiny package with the bouncy instrumental and a killer guitar solo from Donny (they/them).
This theme of self awareness and identifying one’s flaws is an undercurrent throughout the record and most apparent in songs like “Rerun” and “Fight or Flight.” On top of that, there are some themes that set their sights on pointing out issues faced within the music industry which can be found in “Are You Impressed” and “Seeing Negative (Disappointment).” The latter is a straightforward pop rock jam that introduces some fun synth work amid a collection of lyrics that explore self doubt.
“I’ve had enough disappointment / It might be my lens / Because the negative is all I see” closes out the chorus and is a line that I keep coming back to because it’s how I’ve felt in areas of my life, including the pursuit of music. I think it’s easy for musicians/creatives to frame things in the light of “what if this had been bigger or better” and ultimately miss the joy and satisfaction that comes from sharing the piece of work they’ve labored over with others. I hope Honey Revenge is enjoying that happiness as they continue to gain popularity.
You can’t talk about Honey Revenge without talking about their visuals. Leaning into a color palette and flashy displays, it’s hard to not watch and figure out what this band is about. The duo have put out a number of awesome music videos with their label, Thriller Records, for this album which can be watched here. One of my favorite music videos is for the album closer “Distracted.”
The song explores “the realization that you’re not as important to someone as they are to you and doing what’s right for yourself by severing that connection for good.” It’s such a bittersweet emotion to end the record with but I love the decision and it provides some hope after confronting personal flaws throughout the record.
My top three tracks from the record are “Airhead,” “Habitual,” and “Murphy’s Law.” This debut is one of my favorites of 2023 so far. It offers a polished listening experience for anyone who enjoys any type of scene music (a la Warped Tour) and could certainly act as a gateway for strict pop listeners into the vast world of guitar music. There’s a lot to love about Retrovision and I hope you resonate with what the band has so lovingly created!
Honey Revenge are currently on tour with Arrows In Action and Finish Ticket through early August. As of now, their next scheduled show after the tour is a headliner in the UK. To stay up to date with them, connect with the band here.
Honey Revenge is Devin Papadol and Donovan Lloyd. Photo by Lexi Abarca.
