HONNE - “Let’s Just Say the World Ended a Week From Now, What Would You Do?” Album Review
HONNE, an English duo, returns with their third album “Let’s Just Say the World Ended a Week from Now, What Would You Do?” which was released this past Friday.
The alternative, electronic pop band was formed in London, England by members Andy Clutterbuck and James Hatcher in 2014. The name HONNE comes from the Japanese word for a person’s true feelings, which is often a topic of exploration in the duo’s discography.
HONNE also released five extended plays in their early years and a mixtape last year during quarantine. In 2018, HONNE put out their second studio album “Love Me/Love Me Not” which went gold and multi-platinum in countries around the world.
“Let’s Just Say the World Ended a Week from Now, What Would You Do?” is a delightful compilation of complex human emotions and experiences.
The album opens with the melancholy melodies of “IDGAF ABOUT PAIN” which sets the pace for the rest of the album. Electro synth rhythms offer an upbeat pulse that juxtaposes the lyrical struggle to find balance with a romantic partner.
“COMING HOME” shifts the lyrically downcast emotions of the first track to more the hopeful and excited emotions of returning home to a loved one. NIKI features on this track, providing a strong female voice accompaniment and depth to this song.
From “BACK ON TOP,” which describes the feeling of being with that one person who makes everything in the world feel right, to “EASY ON ME,” which describes the feeling of reaching out to someone who you know you can trust to help you through a tough and dark time, HONNE flawlessly details a wide range of personal and complicated human experiences.
Listeners of this album could easily relate to or become conscious of a feeling or emotion they had experienced previously but couldn’t describe before listening to the album.
The replay-ability of “Let’s Just Say the World Ended a Week from Now, What Would You Do?” is powerful and almost begging. The audience will want to play the album over and over as they become more in touch with the stories, experiences and emotions being expressed.
In addition to the moving vocals from NIKI, this album includes features by other artists such as Khalid, Griff, Sofía Valdés and Pink Sweat$.
Each featured artist adds a quality of passion and harmony, as in “NOW I’M ALONE” where Valdés contributes to an overall sorrowful mood or when Khalid offers introspective and reflective emotion on “THREE STRIKES.”
One thing HONNE did very well with this album was provided lyrical and instrumental cohesion throughout. Each song can be personal and relatable in its illustration of a particular feeling, while the strings, drums and electric guitar produce fun, synthpop vibes that will leave listeners bobbing their heads along to the beat.
Additionally, “Let’s Just Say the World Ended a Week from Now, What Would You Do?” includes the instrumental version of each song (for a total of 22 tracks on the album) for those who wish to be captivated by the electronic, synth-pop sounds.
Each track on “Let’s Just Say the World Ended a Week from Now, What Would You Do?” beautifully captures a specific feeling or emotion that comes with being involved in a relationship with someone.
Overall, this album does an incredible job detailing the themes of love, hope and confusion, while exploring the broad scope of human feelings and emotion.
Rating: 8/10
Reviewer’s Favorite Song: “BACK ON TOP”
Reviewer’s Least Favorite Song: “HEARTSONG”
Grace Muratore is a third-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email gem5301@psu.edu.
