English electro-soul duo HONNE, comprised of Andy Clutterbuck and James Hatcher, released their third album titled “no song without you.” Released last July 3, this album is a continuity of their display on synth-pop anthologies.

no song without you is the third album by HONNE, a follow-up to their sophomore album “Love Me / Love Me Not.” True to their synth-pop and electrosoul genre roots, this album serves a Beach Boys-esque rhythm to its tune. NSWY is a step back from the electro-soul duo’s nonchalant minimalist euphony as it’s all about stripped songwriting at its core.

This 14-track album features Nicole Zefanya, better known as NIKI, who contributed to the shortest song in the album “iloveyoumorethanicansay.” Sharing production with a few collaborative artists, the album was produced by Canadian multi-instrumentalist Pomo with notable mention on title track “dear P,” Rodiah McDonald with “lines on our faces,” and Nashville production duo TWO FRESH who worked on “free love.” The album is overall produced by Tatemae Recordings, a division of Atlantic Records UK, and managed by the Warner Music Group Company.

In an interview with music and pop culture website Cool Accidents, the English electrosoul duo mentioned they were two-thirds of their way through writing their new mixtape when lockdown struck. ‘no song without you’ is interpreted as a mixtape by the duo but was extended as an album and listened as if it was a continuous mixtape. Written partially in Los Angeles and in their home studio in East London, the compilation had been recorded during the global quarantine and lockdown, according to an interview by L’Officiel with the duo.

For the midnight thoughts

With an album that feels like company to your midnight thoughts and memories of past lovers, no song without you longs to reminiscence.

Best listened during zero hours of the day, the album’s chronological mixtape is a melodic story expressive of heartbreak, pleasure, and even quarantine. When the loneliness kicks in during the ungodly hours of the night, no song without you seems like a friend that enjoys deep conversations with you.

In a definite, particular order

In a definite, particular order, make sure to queue these songs at this chronological order:

Spoken in the perspective of an anticipating long distance relationship, “one way to tokyo” is an ode to lovers with an upcoming journey through coastal romance with expectancy that both would run back to each other with open arms.

Transitioning to an upbeat introduction with the traditional synth rhythm, “loving you is easy” is a song of admiring the potentiality of a person, however for not too long. As it seems to be a song about in-sync sweethearts “la la la that’s how it goes” is a writing and harmonizing of partners through a composition as it goes.

“by my side” is Clutterbuck and Hatcher’s hats off, a collaboration statement piece of a lovely lady’s impact on letting go and holding on.

Finally to finish it off, the single left for the last minute “s o c i a l d i s t a n c i n g” is the song we all can relate to in this album as it talks about the pandemic, lockdown, and quarantine blues into one track.

Supplementary recommendations

• A lullaby effect to soothe your ears “can’t bear to be without you” could put you to sleep as you play the song until the end. Composed of melodies and synths that sound like wavelengths, your eyes would shut in an instant.

• The feeling of sadness encapsulates all of us from time to time. “lines on our faces” is a rhythmic hug to ease the unhappiness. Realizing components of our faces is reading a journey we have been through.

• Missing someone? “gone gone gone” explains a thorough tale of separation and longing. We all make mistakes, the song’s message is an inquiry to start anew.
• An honorable mention to “smile more smile more smile more” as it lends a memo on building a future of positivity, resilience, and a better future for oneself. Almost a motivational voice diary of the duo’s message to themselves, the track records visual components for a brighter future.
  
  

Songs with you

Altogether, HONNE’s no song without you album is an immersive experience for reflection and reminiscence. Filled with lyrics of serendipity and melancholy mixed into one, listening to these tracks is a guide through those hippocampus flashbacks.

no song without you by HONNE is now available on Spotify and iTunes, Apple Music.