When Honeybadger first crashed into my playlist, I felt something click. You know that feeling? When you hear the first chords and realize—this is it, you’ve struck gold. Yep, the trio from Brighton has finally released their long-awaited debut EP, and it’s the adrenaline shot everyone has been waiting for.

photo by Cris Watkins

These guys don’t just mix punk, indie rock, and grunge—they toss it all into a blender and blow conventional norms to smithereens. Their music is a loud scream in the face of mundanity, and the new release only confirms they’re not planning to play by anyone else’s rules.

Honeybadger ( formed by brothers Eddy and Joe, alongside their longtime friend Luca ) knows how to turn their inner storms into a sonic hurricane that sweeps away everything in its path. They’ve already lit up The Alternative Escape, opening for Dead Air, Torus, Grey Wind, and Sick Joy. And you know what? They’re not planning to stop. Regular airplay on BBC Introducing and performances in the BBC Live Lounge are just the beginning of their journey.

While many are simply deflating under the pressure of the industry, these guys decided they’ve had enough. They weren’t content with the usual genre limitations; they took punk, mixed it with indie rock and grunge, and presented it all in a way that makes you want to smash a couple of chairs and then ponder just how strangely this world is put together. But I’m not complaining. On the contrary, I’m in awe because they’re doing what few dare to do—make honest music. Music without embellishment that grabs you by the scruff of the neck and shakes you until you forget you ever wanted to live by the rules.

As I listened to this EP, an image formed in my mind: a tight-knit trio sitting in the backstreets of the city, somewhere on the rooftops of abandoned buildings, with guitars that produce that dirty yet genuine sound. This is their world, and they’re inviting you in—but they warn you upfront, without illusions: there’s no place for pretense here. You turn on the first track and feel your pulse quicken. The melodies sometimes seem simple, but there’s power hidden in their honesty. A jab of truth you’ve been ignoring for so long.

How It Sounds

The EP opens with the track Maybe I, where Luca’s guitars surge forward with groove, and Joe’s drums roar as if they’re trying to outrun time. Honeybadger makes it clear: they’ve come to stay and intend to shout even louder. This track is about someone who is clearly beyond their limits, but that doesn’t stop them; on the contrary, it pushes them to go further. Here, passion and self-confidence sound as if there’s no tomorrow.

Next comes Gone Cold crashing in—a sort of tribute to grunge and college rock. The music fills the space, and you just can’t stand still anymore. There’s something cinematic about the sound; it envelops you and holds you like a scene you don’t want to interrupt. The rhythms are so wild that your brain starts to glitch, but you still give in to them because there’s simply no other way.

photo by Gisela Szlatoszlavek

And then, in the middle of the EP with the track Spell It Out, the real musical mayhem begins. Here, the energy literally spills out of the speakers—raw, fierce, extreme—and you like it. Special mention goes to Eddy’s vocals—flawless, infused with pure fire, and the lyrics—poisonous. An excellent aggressive mix you expect in rock music, and Honeybadger doesn’t disappoint. This is the very sound you expect from good grunge—the moment when the music hits so hard that you want to clench your fists and scream along with it.

But then comes the moment with Back To Bed, and this track just blows the roof off. The riffs are as heavy as a concrete slab, and the drums thunder as if the end of the world is already here. This is a track you’ll want to listen to on repeat, and most likely, it’ll make you really want to tear off your T-shirt because such sound demands a physical outlet.

The EP concludes with the track Dive In, and it’s a direct hit to your consciousness. Eddy’s vocals sound alive, almost painfully sincere, and you feel as if you’re standing right in front of the stage, soaking up every moment. The arrangement here is scorching—no second of pause, not a gap between notes, everything as it should be. This track is the final shot that leaves you feeling that this entire EP was one continuous, deafening journey.

Honeybadger have done their job, and they’ve done it in such a way that it’s impossible not to notice them. The self-titled debut EP Honeybadger is a bullseye from musicians who know what they want and who they’re playing for. There’s no room for doubt or soul-searching here—they clearly understand their audience and offer them the best they have. The best vocal parts, impeccable groove, wild energy—all of this oozes from every track. This release is perfect for those who’ve long missed quality, honest rock music. If you’re lacking a sound that gives you goosebumps, Honeybadger is definitely worth your time.

*This review was made possible by DSTNCT.SPACE