Rooskin – Honey Spells

Southend’s Rooskin have released their debut EP, ‘Honey Spells’. After eye catching shows at The Railway and Village Green in 2019, the three piece are rising stars on their local scene.

Here is our track by track review:

Radio Slave

Warped melodic brilliance that makes Peace’s debut ‘In Love’ virtually redundant. Rob and Matt’s angelic vocals alongside the hazy guitars is a slice of escapist summertime we’re all going to be in need of soon.

Donnie (Beach for Tiger)

“The great art of life is sensation, to feel that we exist, even in pain.”, Lord Byron.

If this isn’t sound tracking the third series of Sex Education, then, the world has lost its mind. As front man Rob Humm decrees “I’ve been looking for love in all the wrong places” and latterly wrenches, from his gut, “I’m sick of waiting”, images of Otis and Mauve come flooding in.

When I’m High

Real Estate’s lazy sun drenched guitars meander their way to a chorus worthy of Phil Spector in his pomp. Here, Rooksin have set their standards incredibly high for all future success. It could only have been written by those in the throes of youth and yet, its wisdom is way beyond their years.

On this comparison of heartbreak and substance addiction, Rooskin have landed a coming of age gem. Whether you relate to the heartache, the drugs or both, this is the soundtrack to this generations relationships. The ones that bring endless joy and inevitably, crushing despair.

For those old enough to look back, missed opportunities, regret, wry smiles and sarcastic laughs at those heady days will undoubtedly be unlocked.

4:33

Echoes of Peace’s debut come out to play again on this achingly confessional dreampop affair.

With Rob taking the lead vocals here, it shows a maturity in the band many do not possess. One of Bobby Gillespie’s greatest assets is, to know when to step aside. Here’s hoping they produce great art like the Primals did.