Love and grief may seem like polar opposite emotions; both are such intense feelings that can take a lifetime for one person to learn and accept. Despite their initial stark differences, they might just have more in common than you think.
Loving and Losing, the sophomore album by pop-rock duo Honey Revenge, is one of the truest testaments of the likening between these two sentiments.
Upon pressing play, we step into the world of lead singer Devin Papadol that she’s been curating for the last three years. Since the release of their debut album Retrovision, the Los Angeles-based Honey Revenge has been soaring through the scene, touring nonstop worldwide with show-stopping festival performances, a successful first headline tour and so much more.
Unfortunately, despite all the accomplishments the band has experienced in the past few years, both Papadol and guitarist Donny Lloyd have suffered tremendous personal losses. Throughout the week of chaos and excitement over the release of their debut album, Papadol’s father passed away unexpectedly. In addition to being brand new to touring and figuring out the dynamics of the band, this unimaginable tragedy served a devastating blow. Rather than let this get the better of her, the new album itself is evidence of personal growth and navigation of different types of grief, while simultaneously processing all of the good things happening around her.
The Loving beginning, despite the sweetness, definitely has a bite to it. Loving and Losing begins with “Technicolor” — a full-forced and unapologetic introduction to the album, colorfully equating an addictive new relationship beginning with analogies of grayness, feeling like a “soul strung out,” and being content with hiding away. Once you get that first hit, you simply can’t get enough of it. “Technicolor” is filled to the brim with sonic energy, from the smashing drum intro to the spicy distorted guitar rift that carries its way through the track.
This is most definitely going to be a fan favorite live, sure to start many pits and be the host of crowdsurfing galore.
The track transitions seamlessly into the ex-friend callout single, “Run Your Mouth,” exhibiting early on that the topic of loss isn’t just restricted to death, but other forms of loss in life. Keeping the party going, we’re then followed by Y2K-inspired party anthem, “Sunday Scaries,” and “Poison Apple Baby,” another ‘ex-friend’ themed track.
“Hot Commodity” is nothing short of a feel-good bad bitch anthem. It’s narcissistic, yet ironic in a more “you only see what I let you see” way, like you’re putting on a mask of confidence for others and dealing with imposter syndrome within the music industry.
“You know all about me from what you heard, heard / I’m only showing you the tip of the iceberg”
A personal standout track is “Jealousy Monster,” further exploring the more insecure and vulnerable part of imposter syndrome. The song is lyrically packed with confessions from Papadol, even personifying “Jealousy” as a person she hates while admitting that she lives within her. Saying it would be beneficial for her health and that the thoughts are endlessly weighing on her mind, she admits the jealousy is eating her alive. Throughout the track her tone feels exhausted and frustrated — acknowledging the resentment she has for things, yet not being able to put an end to those thoughts, almost as if the jealousy is an addiction.
She’s upfront with her intentions in the chorus, leading with how she “Can’t go on any longer / Time for me to kill the Jealousy Monster.” Inevitably accepting that it will always somehow live inside of her, she gives up and says she’ll never get away from it, calling “Jealousy” a “bitch,” and repeating the confessional cycle over again.
“Forgive, forgive, forgive / Turn the other cheek”
Photo credit: Kay Dargen
Grief can be brought on by many different major events in life, and it seems the Losing side of the album is very reflective of that, something Papadol has definitely figured out over the last few years. In the context of this album, that loss is a friend breakup and Papadol is cheekily apologetic with her own acceptance of her grief. She exclaims throughout the chorus, “Just wanna say I’m sorry / I gave you so many chances / Just wanna say I’m sorry / I didn’t stick to my guns,” before boastingly following up that she’s not sorry at all.
The last run of songs on the album tend to share the most cohesive themes. In the first released single from Loving and Losing, “Risk,” along with the following track “Butterfly Effect,” Papadol is direct with her findings and new perspective. She embraces uncertainties in life as an exciting thing rather than fearing it.
The album closes with title track “Loving and Losing,” this stripped-back acoustic track is one of Honey Revenge’s most vulnerable songs they’ve ever released. It’s raw and honest about the pain and internal conflict Papadol has dealt with, yet the outro is really what ties this whole album together. As the acoustic fades slowly, we’re met with a voicemail from Papadol’s late father:
“Hey gorgeous, this is your father
Um, I want you to know first and foremost your mother and I
Hell, the entire family
We’re so proud of what you’re doing with your life and the chances you’re taking
I cannot tell you that you know what you’re doing, but you continue going there
There’s going to be hurdles, there’s going to be victories, but both of you guys make us very, very proud
We love you so much, and uh–keep on writing, my love
Buh-bye”
Papadol reflects on their relationship, as well as his undying support for her art via Rocksound. “My dad was so involved in my confidence to be an artist, and he was always so supportive… He taught me new things every single day. Now… I recognise that I’m doing things and saying things that he taught me. So much of the person I am can only exist because I was loved by him.”
Finishing the album feels like taking a sigh of relief. Throughout Loving and Losing, listeners feel like they’re watching Papadol as she steps into this new stage of her life. There’s so much you want to say or do, but you can only observe from a distance as it is one’s own fate to figure it out for themselves. Finding the similarities between love and loss seems downright impossible, but while exploring this, Honey Revenge has truly created something masterful.
While dealing with such hefty subjects and overall sonic experimentation, Loving and Losing is packed with emotion and hard truths we all one day will face. At the same time, it provides comfort in the inevitable: one day we might lose what we love, or we may love something so much, we can’t be afraid to lose it.
Get tickets to see Honey Revenge on tour here.
Keep up with Honey Revenge
Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / YouTube / TikTok / Spotify
