Best known for his work as the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and main lyricist for The Gaslight Anthem, Brian Fallon is an artist that wears his emotions on his sleeve. Showcasing just that from album to album with The Gaslight Anthem, he has always written songs that are personal to his own experiences yet something most can relate to on some level. Such is also the case with his solo career ,which began back in 2016 with his debut effort, Painkillers, and continues on his latest, Local Honey.
Out on Friday, March 27th through Lesser Known Records, the brand new album comes two years after the critically acclaimed Sleepwalkers. With 2018’s Sleepwalkers, many stated Fallon had polished his songwriting to a perfect sheen, and they would be right, because it was an album so full of life. Returning with Local Honey, he drew up eight new songs, coupled together for just over thirty minutes of music. Seeming brief, fear not, because each track tells a story in a beautiful, poetic manner. Wrapped in soothing melodies and emotionally human vocals, in enough words, Local Honey is a balm for the soul.
Featuring arrangements that are pure and simple with no extra samples or effects, Fallon gets right down to the nitty-gritty of stripped down songwriting. With really no letdowns throughout, songs like “21 Days” shine with lyrics that take on beating addiction, as well as ending the longing for the substance. Then there are others such as “Vincent,” which is as catchy as it is humorous, but also the more serious tracks like “Horses” and the stinging closer “You Have Stolen My Heart.”
Vivid and romantic, Local Honey is an album where you can reflect on love, life, and everything in between. It is also so smooth you could imagine yourself by a fireplace or sitting in a rocking chair on the veranda, drinking homemade lemonade. Whether it is by actively listening to the stories Brian Fallon tells or getting lost in it all, everything works and it is all absolutely worth it. Now the only thing left would be to get out and see him perform the new music live. Sadly due to the current state of the world, his tour was postponed, but fortunately he just announced it is now re-scheduled for this July into 2021, when he will hit Europe. Until then, get lost in a dream with Local Honey, which Cryptic Rock gives 5 out of 5 stars.
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