We’ve always loved HONEYMOAN‘s dexterity when it comes to the art of anguished pop songs. They sure know how to toe the line between fever-dream electronics and raw emotion. And now, after nearly a decade of writing and performing with the beloved indie outfit, lead singer Alison Rachel is stepping into her own spotlight with new solo project Trillion Petals.
Making her debut with the five-track EP Hill After Pale Hill, HONEYMOAN’s trademark sound is lurking, but with renewed and slightly more edgy energy, tempered by analogue experimentation and soaring indie-rock anthems.
Lead single “Lucky Girl Mantra” captures the emotional whiplash between god complex and imposter syndrome—an internal conflict familiar to many creatives. Produced by UK-based artist/producer Sfven, the track sets the tone for a release that is as cathartic as it is carefully crafted, accompanied by a music video made by London-based director duo Mika Lapid and Molly Moody.
On first listen, Trillion Petals brings to mind a sort of Sharon Van Etten meets Wolf Alice meets Wet Leg meets Julia Jacklin vibe. Quite the mix? Well, it works.
“God’s Ramen” is tender and delicate, unafraid to reveal its imperfections. Clumsily picked strings offer a realness that is unfiltered and uninterrupted. There is heart and soul in this record, and not in the cliché way that the term is often thrown around. Here, it hurts sometimes, and other times it’s loud and alive.
Written and recorded between London and Hertford, Hill After Pale Hill features collaborations with a select group of producer-artists including Nic van Reenen (Ex Olympic) and Radio Trapani—each bringing a distinct texture to Rachel’s guitar-led songwriting.
“I wrote all the tracks on guitar first, alone, before bringing them into the studio to be reimagined,” says Rachel. “It was important to me that each song had a simplicity that could easily be reproduced for live shows when needed.”
She is already writing for her next release, slated for recording in autumn this year, and we can’t wait to see where this intrepid solo venture leads.
