In a culture drifting towards homogenisation, where individuality risks being stifled into something algorithm-friendly, “Pretty” questions whether people should use beauty to define their worth, and shape their personality too.
Fronted by Thom Schotanus and Sofia Ooteman, tonally, the quintet have shifted away from their previously heavy releases. It marks a brighter moment for the band – also comprising Jasper Meurs, Hugo de Groot and Evelien Keesmaat – without abandoning the sound that has defined them so far: 90s alt-rock and shoegaze, sprinkled with lo-fi indie and emo. Vocalist and guitarist Schotanus explains, “Sometimes a more poppy or a happier song comes out, and a lot of the times we don’t think it’s us, but with ‘Pretty’ everyone agreed we’re definitely gonna do this one.”
“Pretty” opens softly with a dreamy guitar riff, the delicate harmonies of Ooteman and Schotanus contrast the explosions of layered fuzz. At just over two minutes long, the track is fleeting, but it’s enough for the chorus to stick in your head, a nod to a love of classic melodies and 90s rock textures. “We love bands from the 90s, but we also love The Beatles,” says Schotanus.
Lyrically, “Pretty” explores society’s obsession with how we portray ourselves to the world, concerning social media, and the dark ultra-masculine trend of “Looksmaxxing”, think bulked out jawlines and insane gym routines. Schotanus believes “everything is about appearance now, especially online, it’s fucking crazy.” While the message of the song feels dystopian, the melody lifts the song into lo-fi fantasy. Finding the lightness which keeps the tone reflective, rather than combative or judgemental.
For Schotanus, the song is a rejection of aiming for ‘perfect’ and a push to embrace reality. “Being pretty should never be an end goal, it’s such a thin thing to hold onto. It can’t be a shield to make yourself feel happy. We’re all gonna be fucking wrinkly and fat one day”. “Pretty” provides a tongue-in-cheek perspective, it grounds us in the sometimes flighty reality we find ourselves in, valuing the surface, not the depth.
Sonically, Honey I’m Home continue to refine their signature densely layered sound, blending grit and glimmer. Schotanus talks of the delicate balancing act, “We love that wall-of-sound feeling, but we also love melody and euphoria. We want the music to feel like depth: dark and grainy, but with sparkle.” Remaining true to their gritty style, “Pretty” started as a rough acoustic recording from a phone. “Everyone was kind of obsessed with the way the demo sounded because it was so gnarly,” says Schotanus. This demo eventually became the backbone of the recorded track, made with acclaimed producer Sonny Diperri (DIIV, julie, These New Puritans).
Honey I’m Home have a clear creative vision, an audio blend of VHS footage meets dark fantasy. Following the release of grungy tracks “Insecure” and “Wishful Thinking”, “Pretty” reveals a step into their more sparkly side. With a debut at SXSW on the horizon, and a tour being teased for late spring, “Pretty” signals an exciting moment for the band unafraid of experimentation.
