Honey Harper
Starmaker
Release Date: Mar 6, 2020
Genre(s): Country, Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Singer/Songwriter
Record label: ATO
Music Critic Score
How the Music Critic Score works
Buy Starmaker from Amazon
Album Review: Starmaker by Honey Harper
Excellent, Based on 2 Critics
Based on rating 8/10
The debut long-player from William Fussell, who dons a Stetson under the moniker Honey Harper, Starmaker evokes the sunset patina of '70s country-rock and folk staples like Ian Matthews Southern Comfort, Gram Parsons, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and the Eagles. The self-described "celestial honky-tonk" enthusiast first tasted success in 2011 with post-punk outfit Mood Rings, but born and raised in Georgia, country music and its regional ubiquity helped to unconsciously shape his songwriting. All the markers of artifice are here, from the showy stage name to the sensual bespoke cover photo, but Fussell has crafted a remarkably moving album that feels both timeless and authentic.
Based on rating 8
The profound quality of Honey Harper's cosmic country is engrossing. Full of self-reflection and insight, there is plenty of contradiction and complexity, but everything is smoothly held together in lyrics, sound and composition. His debut album 'Starmaker' embraces dichotomy in new original and wonderful ways, and the Atlanta artist signifies a fresh, idiosyncratic voice with this debut album.
'Starmaker'
is available now