"Ayo, this kinda slaps.."
CALLING OUT TO ALL POP PUNK FANS! I’m talking to those of you who rocked the fringe and striped, knee-high socks in high school. Yes, you. If you still enjoy the sound of Pierce the Veil, My Chemical Romance, and Sleeping with Sirens, then I have great news for you. Upcoming band “BLOODHONEY” has released their debut single “Happy”, and it does not disappoint. With a feature of THE Kellin Quinn himself, “Happy” is the embodiment of good ol’ fashioned “punk and scene culture.”
Okay, so when you first press play, the pure energy that comes rushing within the first three seconds of the song is enough to build this intense momentum, as if you were in the middle of Fast and Furious speeding away from the cops. Then boom, like you’re being hit in the face with a dodgeball, the drums (Anthony Arroyo) kick in, keeping a steady beat that never falters. Add in guitar from Davey Sorrows and vocals from lead singer Monday, they have given us an absolute headbanger. Throughout the first verse, the effects on Monday’s vocals gives a bit of edge, almost like you’re listening to him through a vintage radio or watching him on an 80s television. I happen to appreciate the touch, the small detail giving “rebel walking through high school with his big stereo” vibes.
However, what stood out to me was the pre-chorus. Just like the energy in the beginning, the pre-chorus builds this fierce momentum. Letting Anthony rest, the claps added into the audio keep the beat going, chefs kiss, yeah? But what I really want to showcase is Davey’s guitar riffs in this specific part of the song. The repeating four chords evoke “main character energy.” Bad bitch energy if you know the vibes.
Now, down to the nitty gritty: the lyrics. While by all means you should go listen to the lyrics and come up with your own impressions, I perceived the song to be a vengeful letter to a summer fling. Arranging the lyrics so that “I still sleep in your bed,” comes right after “I hope you’re fucking happy, now,” portrays a bittersweet longing. When you hate how things ended, and maybe even hate the person now, but you still miss what you had and how it felt in the moment. There is definitely insane talent for song writing.
I can’t go on without mentioning one of the biggest features of the song. In their debut single, Kellin Quinn had provided his own vocals, completely overtaking some of the second verse and the second pre-chorus. Kellin’s verse sends this wave of nostalgia to any A Class “Emo” that listened to this type of music back in the day. The single, without a doubt having similar sounds to Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and Pierce the Veil, straight up makes me feel like I’m shopping at Hot Topic in 2009.
As somebody who grew up with this genre of music, “Happy” by BLOODHONEY is an incredible song, all the components leaving me in disbelief that it is only their debut single. I’m giving it a solid 9/10, cause Ayo, this kinda slaps. I truly believe that BLOODHONEY will be going to new lengths. I’m excited to see where they go from here. You can stream “Happy” out on all platforms, now!
