It’s been a while since we covered Side Bangs. Over two years, precisely. In truth, the shoegaze outfit guided by American creative Stephanie Rodgers took some well-deserved time off, only interrupted by last year’s single ‘SOL’. Recently, the project has returned with a rather ethereal and nocturne piece, a hypnotic record navigating the quieter, more tender side of the shoegaze scene. ‘Honey, Hi’ is exactly that, a slice of feverish, dreamy goodness wrapped in lush textures and lyrical introspection.
Partly, Side Bangs have always been associated with such a unique sonic ethos. ‘SOL’ was equally elegant and atmospheric. Yet, ‘Honey, Hi’ pushes the envelope even further, embracing a minimalistic brand of shoegaze and dream pop/indie that never really disappoints. It’s a wonderful record, a track we can lose ourselves in. Rodgers’ nuanced vocals are here delivered with heightened intimacy and warmth, secretly oscillating between singing and spoken words.
Self-produced and written by Stephanie herself, ‘Honey, Hi’ drives pretty open-handed songwriting, leaving the interpretation to the listener. The lyrics hint at nostalgic memories and personal exchanges, vague but also meaningful and relatable. Overall, the record is a striking display of what Side Bangs has to offer. We are confident there’s more to come.
Recommended! Discover ‘Honey, Hi’ on Spotify:
