Honeysucker might call their sound yacht rock, but this EP feels more like a sailboat navigating choppy city waters—steady, soulful, and just scrappy enough to make you root for them. Whether you’re a Bushwick barback, a Chelsea project manager, or just someone trying to make sense of your own chaos, this EP is a must-listen.
Honeysucker’s debut EP, “Headed for a Dive,” feels like a stolen postcard from a late-night subway ride—the kind of ride where you’re lost in your thoughts, staring out at the blurred lights of a city that doesn’t seem to care if you’re heartbroken or just hungover. Clocking in at 17 minutes, this six-track release captures the restless pulse of New York City’s underbelly while managing to sound intimate, like a secret whispered over a cheap drink in a corner booth.
The band describes their genre as “Land Locked Yacht Rock,” and it’s as delightfully paradoxical as it sounds. Imagine the smooth, sun-drenched textures of ‘70s yacht rock spiked with the grit of punk, the shadowy synths of New Wave, and the melodic quirks of indie. It’s lush yet raw, polished yet frayed—like a pair of designer jeans shredded at the knees. This duality is woven into every note, lyric, and sonic choice, painting a vivid portrait of what it feels like to navigate heartbreak and urban chaos in your late 20s.
Honeysucker’s DIY ethos is a defining element of this project. Written, recorded, performed, and self-produced in their Brooklyn apartments, the EP feels alive with the energy of a city that doesn’t let anyone rest for long. The production embraces imperfection without ever sounding sloppy; there’s a warmth and a “live” feeling to the tracks, as if you’re sitting in the same room while the band experiments and builds. That said, it’s far from lo-fi. Layers of shimmering synths, funky basslines, and inventive percussion make each song feel carefully crafted and loose enough to capture the unpredictable spirit of a midnight jam session.
The funk influence is undeniable, whether it’s in the infectious grooves that underscore tracks like “New Dust” or the playful rhythmic twists scattered throughout the EP. Honeysucker knows how to make music that moves, but they’re just as comfortable pulling back and letting the emotional weight carry the moment. “BQE” and “Lost” are prime examples, stripping things down to create more introspective, dreamy moments. Together, it’s a sound that feels rooted in Brooklyn’s creative energy—scrappy, resourceful, and endlessly ambitious.
What’s particularly striking about Headed for a Dive is how much it feels like a love letter to the city itself. Brooklyn isn’t just a backdrop here; it’s a co-conspirator. You can hear it in the subtle chaos, the creative hunger, and the endless tension between freedom and constraint.
Track-by-Track Breakdown
1. New Dust
The EP opens with a rolling groove that feels like the city waking up just before chaos takes over. It’s a slow build, drawing you in with its hypnotic rhythm before exploding into a frenetic, layered arrangement. The interplay between the groove and its eventual burst of energy creates a dynamic opening that sets the stage for the rest of the EP.
2. Loneliness
“Loneliness” is a journey in itself, starting with a slow, melancholic intro that feels fragile, almost like it might fall apart at any moment. But at the 1:20 mark, it blossoms into something entirely different. A shuffling, percussive beat kicks in, layered with a jazz-infused ballad vibe that’s punctuated by a guitar swoon reminiscent of Santana. It’s a track of constant evolution, falling back into the earlier softness before swelling and breaking into a rich musical barrage. The tension between these movements is captivating, making it one of the EP’s standout moments.
3. Frida Kahlo
This track stands out for its experimental edge. It opens with 46 seconds of sampled ambience and a lo-fi rap beat, transporting you to the soundscape of a crowded room. It acts as a kind of interlude, a moment of transition that shifts the EP’s mood and opens a new direction, setting the stage perfectly for what comes next.
4. Buzzcut Girls
At just 55 seconds long, “Buzzcut Girls” feels like a quick, vivid dream. It leans into a progressive rock and jazz beat, with a pop groove that echoes the shimmering energy of The Killers. It’s short but packed with movement, giving the EP a jolt of brightness and energy before the more introspective moments that follow.
5. BQE
“BQE” changes pace entirely, stripping things back to a guitar-and-vocal singer-songwriter style ballad. There’s a rawness here, a simplicity that feels deeply personal. As the track builds, it creates moments of pure magic, evolving into a dreamy, shimmering soundscape by the end. It’s a sonic turning point for the EP, offering a reflective, almost tender pause.
6. Lost
The closer, “Lost,” brings the energy back up while staying grounded in a jazzy, instrumentally rich style. There’s still that touch of The Killers in its rhythm and vocal energy, but the jazzy flourishes give it a unique twist. The lush instrumentation feels like a celebration of everything the EP has built toward, wrapping up the journey on a note that’s both poignant and full of life.
Headed for a Dive captures the tension between wanting to grow up and clinging to the reckless freedom of youth. Thematically, it feels like an exploration of the ways we self-destruct and rebuild, particularly in a city that never stops moving.
Each track feels like a vignette, offering snapshots of late-night highs, quiet morning regrets, and fleeting moments of connection. There’s a sense of cinematic storytelling here, with the EP functioning as a single, cohesive journey through heartbreak, disillusionment, and the faint hope that something better might be waiting on the other side.
Final Thoughts
For a debut EP, Headed for a Dive is remarkably self-assured. Honeysucker’s DIY production adds to its charm, giving it a raw, lived-in feel that perfectly complements its themes. It’s easy to imagine this record becoming a soundtrack for those grappling with the same questions of identity, love, and survival in a city that often feels both magical and merciless.
