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Dec 30, 2024 Web Exclusive By Scotty Dransfield

On Honey, Dan Snaith returns under his Caribou moniker with a sound that frequently recalls the energy and brightness of his Daphni project. Gone are the more emotionally resonant moods of his past Caribou albums, replaced by warm pads, steady club beats, and warped vocals that often feel sampled, even when they’re not. There’s a sense that Honey aims less for depth of feeling and more for an immersive, dancefloor-oriented atmosphere, putting it closer to the territory of producers like Four Tet or Fred again.. than to previous Caribou LPs.

One track that stands out is “Do Without You,” a playful nod to the classic “Can’t Do Without You” from 2015’s Our Love. Here, the melodic callbacks feel intentional and satisfying, as if Snaith wanted to anchor at least one piece of Honey in the Caribou tradition. Another bright spot is “Climbing,” whose cascading synths lift the arrangement above the otherwise slight feel of the album.

Snaith’s production wizardry remains intact, especially in his treatment of vocals. Many cuts feature voices twisted into unfamiliar shapes, supposedly using AI-assisted techniques to alter Snaith’s own voice. In place of personal introspection and vulnerability — the primary appeal of his singing on past albums—it feels like he’s trying on someone else’s skin. While this sonic experimentation is intriguing, it also underscores the album’s relative shallowness compared to Caribou’s previous offerings.

For all its pleasant textures and energetic rhythms, Honey struggles to make a lasting impression as a complete work. The tracks seem designed to be extended and reshaped in a live setting, where their potential for lengthy build-ups and ecstatic peaks might shine more than they do in recorded form. On the album itself, they pass by breezily, leaving only faint footprints.

Still, Honey is fun, easy listening, and it is just about guaranteed to get toes tapping; it’s just not as substantial or stirring as one might hope. (www.caribou.fm)

Author rating: 7/10