What’s it take to write music that is distinctly of you and your patch that is successful and true to the intention? Well, certainly a belief in your self and your abilities but I’d argue that you need a dose of contentment and connection as well. You can after all wander into any folk club or open mic night and hear some poor devil with an acoustic guitar singing of their personal crisis and how life has attendent problems. Alright for about 30 seconds but you soon switch the off button as their neurosis never gets beyond the personal and their roots are shallow. Thank God then for musicians like Honey & The Bear.
Jon and Lucy Hart know their backyard from all different aspects, this recording is a celebration of Suffolk, the life in it, its history, its customs, lore and even its difficulties. Equal parts of care, contentment and concern. What that’s given us is an album of hymns and reveries which gently lulls and pulls you in, there is nothing here which jars, everything is seamless, a considered and crafted whole. Right down to even the cover art reflecting what’s to be found within.
The musical pallette used is a broad one, yes it’s bedded in Anglicana – pardon my terminology- but equally it’s clothed in Americana, Celtic, pop, even a hint of rock, especially on the ‘Close To The Edge’ the thoughts and daring of a merman based on a local legend, though wrapped round a jigging chorus which gives instant appeal. Similar built on a memorable melody, ‘What’s Left To Wish For’ chronicles the increasing frequency of the Northern Lights decorating the eastern night sky in England. Something everyone longs to see, a truly spectacular phenomenon, any viewing remains special especially if shared. ‘Cruel Mistress’ is an environmental alert as the North Sea eats away the coastline, yards by the year, destroying homes, communities and leaves little to recall. ‘Break From The Chain’ celebrates Boudicca’s anti Roman sentiment after a bronze head of Claudius, obviously smashed from a statue was found in the mud of the River Alde, a reminder of the brave warrior woman who sought freedom and justice for her people.
But there are songs of caring too. ‘The Air That We Breathe’ marks the duo’s personal commitment to planting that most English of trees, the oak , they’ve managed well over a hundred so far and regard them as a symbol of the struggle to keep the green in the pleasant land. ‘Company’ centres on the loss of face to face communication due to the rise of social media, yet social media it was that kept people in touch during the pandemic. A double edged sword? The best of these though to my ears is ‘Everything Will Be Okay’ the universal, soothing phrase that no matter the language you speak, settles the restless soul; “the sun will shine again” they chorus as the backing perfectly matches the mood.
Speaking of backing, the musicians on here are well chosen and sympathetic to the Hart’s muse. Tip of the hat to Archie Churchill Moss on accordian, Toby Shaer with flute/whistles, Evan Carson’s thoughtful percussion and Graham Coe on cello all of who add so much to the spirit and subject of the tracks. Empathy is a skill they all possess and is displayed to fine effect.
A lot in such a small package and one of the best acoustic albums you’ll hear in 2026.
Simon Jones.
www.honeyandthebear.co.uk
