The Leeds-based collective HONESTY today release ‘BOX’, a 34 min continuous mix of new material and their first release since last year’s acclaimed debut EP, ‘WHERE R U’.
‘BOX’ sees HONESTY venture further into an introspective, subversive, melting-pot version of club music and features appearances from Florence Shaw (Dry Cleaning), vocalist Ryan Cooke as well as verses from rising UK rappers Rarelyalways and Kosi Tides. The mix is out now via Partisan Records.
STREAM ‘BOX’ HERE || LISTEN TO “BOING” FEAT. FLORENCE SHAW HERE
Speaking about the new mix, which features the previously shared haunting and ethereal track “CEASE.”, HONESTY said:
“BOX is like a prequel. It’s an audio mood board, and an examination of the processes that we go through when we’re experimenting and writing music. It’s a journey through the origins of this band emotionally and sonically, the dying embers of our old projects and the beginnings of this one.”
Watch the accompanying video directed by *UNCANNY here: https://youtu.be/r5-_A9ldMWw
HONESTY will be performing live on Tuesday 21st May at Rough Trade East in London as part of the Partisan Records showcase.
With four core members – George Mitchell, Matt Peel, Josh Lewis and Imi Holmes – and a rotating cast of collaborators, HONESTY emerged as an exercise in doing things differently. The project was born in 2020, initially as a remedy to Matt and Josh’s frustrations with the creative restrictions of their previous bands. Out went defined parts and play-by-numbers riffs, in came fluid roles and studio experimentation. Tapping up friend George Mitchell who Matt had worked with in Mitchell’s previous band Eagulls, they went on the hunt for vocalists. Step up Imi Holmes who moved in over marathon track edits and late-night McDonalds sessions. Based in Matt’s Leeds studio The Nave, HONESTY became friends through making music, hanging out their way to a sound that they still can’t put their collective fingers on.
These are the boundaries that HONESTY have set for themselves – the sound can go where it wants, as long as the sentiment supports it. Making this music, in the way they’re making it, is about much more than mining for renewed creative expression; there is a concerted effort to harness the vitality of new beginnings, and the urgency it demands – you are here, right now, and that’s all that matters.
Songs from their 2023 debut EP ‘WHERE R U’ pulse with the exhilaration of discovery, totally uninhibited by the weight of anything that’s come before. Listen to the EP here and watch the visualisers for “U&I”, “TUNE IN TUNE OUT”, “NIGHTWORLD”, and “SEAMS”.
Since releasing their debut body of work, HONESTY have captured the attention of key tastemakers, with press support from Rolling Stone UK, Loud & Quiet, Brooklyn Vegan, Stereogum, The Line of Best Fit, DORK, So Young & DIY. Apple Music 1’s Matt Wilkinson premiered recent single “CEASE.”, saying, ‘this song is important, this band are important’. On BBC Radio 6 Music, HONESTY have picked up plays on Huw Stephens, Emily Pilbeam & The New Music Fix show. In 2023 and early 2024 HONESTY played their debut live shows, captivating audiences with their unique and powerful live electronic set up. Their Eurosonic set was once of the most talked about at the festival, with Clash calling HONESTY “one of the buzziest bands of the evening”.
HONESTY – UK TOUR DATES
21 May 2024 – Rough Trade East, London
14 July 2024 – Brighten The Corners Festival, Ipswich
15 July 2024 – Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds
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STREAM ‘BOX’ HERE || LISTEN TO “BOING” FEAT. FLORENCE SHAW HERE
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