Three years in the making, this new collection of songs playfully intertwines the theatrical energy of art-rock with orchestral, folk, jazz, retro pop, electronic and ambient influences. The result is a lavish cornucopia of sounds led by driving beats, layered guitars and powerful vocals, with lyrical themes ranging from love to loneliness, gratitude to greed and desire to death.
In stark contrast with the duo’s debut Sunrooms (an intimate and ethereal affair, recorded as a two-piece in isolation), Honeymoons ushers in an eclectic troupe of creative collaborators, including multi-instrumentalist Charlotte Glasson (Nick Cave, Graham Coxon…), double bassist Tom Bailey (Buffo’s Wake, Nine Dead Mice…), harpist Fíor Anderson (Sekinue, Ultimate Tigerfrog…), cellist Robin Squirrell (Night House, Bee & Jackrabbit…) and classically-trained clarinettist, Emily Lamb. On stage, the band is joined by drummer Jeremy Noble (Lunatic Calm) and bassist Dom Hall (Code South).
Lead singer and songwriter Cess Greenness explains: “I think of this record as the final episode of a trilogy that started with Florilège – a compilation of our earliest recordings – and continued with Sunrooms, which explored ideas of growth, unfolding and blossoming. Honeymoons incarnates the next natural stage, the harvest season, so it is full of ripe fruit imagery and symbolism around temptation, abundance and decadence… we’re bringing all the drama with this one!”
The 12 songs of Honeymoons were written, arranged, recorded and produced by Greenness in their home studio, including singles Hilltop, Meltdown and Psychopomps. “This hands-on approach allows us to enjoy complete creative freedom”, says Graham Greenness, who mixed and mastered the record as well as playing most instrumental parts, including guitars, electric bass, mandolin, synth, organ, flute, piano and percussion. “It’s a DIY mindset that also extends to the visual narrative of our work, such as the music videos, which we co-directed and edited. It’s been amazing to craft this project together and see our vision flourish!”
When asked about the meaning behind Honeymoons, the couple ponders:
“Well, we’ve been together for over a decade, and what we’ve come to realise is that ‘the honeymoon phase’ isn’t really a one-off thing. You can have so many adventures and experiences across the years that will ignite your fire again and again, not just in a romantic sense but also within your art, your creativity… and this crazy feeling keeps coming back. It’s about the excitement of holding something new, special and beautiful… and how each and every time, you find yourself overwhelmed, in equal measure, by the joy of having it and the fear of losing it.”
