HoneyChrome is an alternative electronica artist hailing from Brooklyn, though raised in Philadelphia . His music is difficult to classify as it is somewhat unique and original, a melding of 80’s electronic pop like Depeche Mode and Pet Shop Boys, with more modern electronica artists like Moby and Owl City. There is also the slight charming quirkiness of a group like Sparks, which adds to the appeal.
This track, Cross, is set to a sparse electronic backing, beginning with vocals and a simple but effective beat that gradually becomes more complex and intricate, with clever use of percussive sounds. There are also subtle use of synth sounds that interweave throughout, but HoneyChrome’s distinctive voice predominates which gives the track a strong sense of personality.
This is aided by the lyrics, which are unusually philosophical for what is still essentially pop music, evidenced by the opening lines “It’s a mystery, this universe…what comes later, what comes first?“. It leads to the strangely hypnotic chorus that stays in the mind after one listen, which shows for all the quirks, HoneyChrome understands the importance of a good, memorable hook.
Overall, this is a fine track from an intriguing artist who has manage to forge a unique sound and lyrical style, as well as a strong persona. In a highly saturated music market where hordes of wannabe pop stars are all copying the latest styles and sounds, it is so important to stand out from the crowd, and HoneyChrome does this with ease. I can see him gaining a huge cult following in the future.
By Alex Faulkner
