I had to include Honey Joy’s sophomore album in my list of overlooked albums in 2020, and I won’t let that happen with their new third LP, aptly titled III. The Southern London band, made up of five “curry-loving best mates,” has crafted a concise, modern indie punk record that perfectly matches its 25-minute runtime with a palpable sense of urgency. The recordings reflect the band’s fiery DIY spirit, sounding both loud and just the right kind of unpolished, balanced with a melodic touch.

To give you a sense of their sound, Honey Joy name-drops influences like Uranium Club, Lemonheads, The Marked Men, Rocket From The Crypt, Bodega, and Martha in this feature at When The Horn Blows. Singer Megan Tinsley is a true force, contributing equally to the band’s raw and melodic sides. Her experiences working as a nurse during the pandemic, along with the UK’s dreadful handling of it, seem to have fueled her performance with extra intensity and emotion.

There is much to love about the album, but to my ears, the three shortest tracks are the sweetest. Check them out below and enjoy!

III is out now on LP through Everything Sucks Music.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Everything Sucks Music