Music is our voice that paves the way through the centuries. It’s like a painting on the canvas of time, telling about our passions, our cultures, the epochs we live through, and how we understand this world. The Honey Badgers, a Delaware-based band, released an album titled “The Earth Turns and So Do We,” consisting of 15 tracks, each reflecting complex rethinking about the world and life in music. Erin Magnin and Michael Natrin fill the album with philosophical reflections on the cycle of life and death, love that endures beyond time, and the inevitability of time that continuously moves us forward. In each track of “The Earth Turns and So Do We,” a golden thread of the idea runs that, like the earth, we are inevitably subjected to the cycles of time, reflecting our internal and external changes. Despite the predominance of folk acoustic shades, it is a complex record requiring thoughtful consideration.

photo by @davidnorbut

When you look at the cover of the album “The Earth Turns and So Do We” performed by Katie Yost, you realize that a whole world awaits. There it is, a dark room with a lone candle—and that open door leading to a bright garden seems to say, “There is a way out.” The cover conveys a fairly simple yet subtle metaphor, symbolizing the transition, the struggle between darkness and light, confinement and freedom.

Similarly, the album itself sounds. I like how through the light folk country motifs, The Honey Badgers create a dialogue between the past and the present. Hearing the album for the first time, I noticed that the lyrics of the tracks and the atmosphere of the sound prompt me to reflect on my place in the world and how cultural and personal stories affect our perception of reality.

From the very first chords, you can feel an atmosphere of homey comfort and intimacy, as the sounds literally envelop you, pulling you into their magical space. The first track, “She Awakes,” gently ushers you into the world of the album—a light plucking of strings and airy vocals by Erin and Michael whisper about an upcoming journey full of surprises. The tempo slows down, and the music sways rhythmically like the morning dawn, smoothly transitioning into a brighter country track, “Morning Person.” The energy is off the charts, and Magnin’s voice becomes more sensuous. It sounds very lively! However, the next track, “Rose of Jericho,” fills the heart with melancholy. Slow and gentle, with lush harmonies, it reveals a deep longing, underscored by a powerful rhythm and bright trumpets that give the sound a hint of a church procession.

The track “On My Grave” conveys an atmosphere of carefreeness and ease. The Honey Badgers set the tone for reflection, and the bright arrangement with a rocking rhythm and folk sound is incredibly captivating. “Decades Go By” is a tender acoustic ballad, where a rocking and deep bass creates an atmosphere of contemplation. The profound lyrics create an atmosphere of lightness and tranquility, setting a positive tone. It’s a very beautiful song that reveals The Honey Badgers as true poets who know the secret of thoughtful lyrics.

photo by @davidnorbut

To not dwell long on melancholy and contemplation, the tracks “Blueberry Wine” and “Golden Boots from Nepal” create a space of inspiration. These two tracks take a leading place in my personal list. I like how “Blueberry Wine” with its bright rhythm and folk sound creates an atmosphere of an endless summer. It sounds so cool and vivid! Meanwhile, “Golden Boots from Nepal” sounds personal, like a revelation, where each beat carries the imprint of personal experiences. An amazing track!

The final track “No Day” concludes the album on a tender note. This light and contemplative song leaves, let’s say, an ellipsis after listening, and its gentle performance evokes thoughts of a warm evening and a gentle breeze. The soft harmonica adds warmth and a sense of home comfort to the sound. It’s a strong finale that perfectly completes the album.

Every song on The Honey Badgers’ album is like a separate story. The voices of Erin Magnin and Michael Natrin complement each other with such ease and harmony that listening to them is a pleasure. It is indeed important to discuss this aspect, especially when it comes to duets where every note and every interweaving of voices can be the key to magic.

No one else makes music as serene and caring as The Honey Badgers. With “The Earth Turns and So Do We,” which is their third record, they continue to cement their status as a unique and important voice in contemporary indie folk music. You should definitely listen to the album if you appreciate something heartfelt. You won’t be disappointed.

Connect with The Honey Badgers via Instagram / Facebook

*This review was made possible by SubmitHub