A couple of days ago we interviewed the Swedish duo Pale Honey (you can read the interview HERE). They are about to release their eponymous debut album on the 4th of May. Tuva Lodmark (guitar/vocals) and Nelly Daltrey (drums) describe their music as “intense and simplistic” - they forgot to include “captivating” - and after listening to their album several times, I couldn't find a more accurate description.

This characterisation, despite its accuracy, does not fully reflect the beauty of the album, sonically and lyrically, which in my opinion is a great rock 'n roll piece with a feminine touch that grabs your ears from the very first second of 'Over Your Head' to the ethereal closings of 'Sleep'. It's intense even when Tuva subdues her soft and low voice and it's impressively simplistic in a sense that justifies the notion that sound complexity is not the key to quality music.

Pale Honey consists of 10 tracks, including the released single “Youth” and all of them draw upon a minimalistic rock sound structured around Nelly’s punchy and skillful drums, filled with Tuva’s distorted, playful, electric guitar. The initial laid back rhythm of most songs twists into an availance of upbeat synthy rock and revolutionary sound in seconds that turns the evoked sweetness and calmness into a scene of controlled mayhem (should there be such a state?). Tuva’s soft and appealing vocals seem to function as a leading instrument in this grungy yet highly melodic album.

If you crave for a listen to Pale Honey, their first EP 'Youth' is on Spotify and if you require a 'live' fix, they will be appearing in London at The Islington on May 20th.

Overall, Pale Honey is one of those bands that you cannot resist falling for, from the very first minute you tune in and despite the fact that Pale Honey is the debut album of the duo, their work is incredibly mature, oozes professionalism and it possesses all the attributes of an already well-established band.

Pale Honey is Tuva Lodmark (guitar and vocals) and Nelly Daltrey (drums).

Pale Honey Tracklist:

Over your head
Fish
Youth
Bandolier
Lonesome
Fiction
Desert
Tease
0100
Sleep

Review by Eirini Gialou