Artist: Honey Dijon
Title: Black Girl Magic
Label: Classic Music Co.
Released: 18 November
Sounds like: An empowered scene matriarch unleashing her fierce roar
Review
The inimitable Honey Dijon started November by receiving the lifetime achievement award at the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art Gala. The LGBTQIA institute recognised her embodiment "of queer liberation and magic," in reference, no doubt, to her forthcoming second full-length album.
She collected the award in New York in front of industry peers Midland, Mike Servito, GIDEÖN and Skin. But the deserving standing ovation could be heard around the world.
Earlier in 2022, she was enlisted by Beyoncé to produce two tracks on her dance music-influenced Renaissance album. The clout of that association breaks free far beyond the boundaries of House music alone.
On her first LP, also out on Classic Music Company, Honey largely explored the piano-led classic House sound whilst grappling with themes of identity politics. It was also noteworthy for its faithful cover of Carly Simon's 1982 gay anthem, Why?
How does her follow-up, five years in the making, shape-up by comparison?
From the moment Kameelah Waheed's spoken-word monologue begins on album opener Love Is, soon accompanied by soft keys, we're in reassuringly familiar territory.
Black Girl Magic has already spawned four singles, so we've had a generous portion to chow down on. Show Me Some Love and its gritty organ riff has raw, peak-time club energy. Tell us you don't yearn to hear this pumped out in a sweaty basement club in Chicago.
The precocious beat of the LATÁSHA-featured Don't Be Afraid is sleazy in nature, whereas Downtown is a straight-up infatuation of underground club culture. Both reaffirm devotion to the musicality of the artist's hometown. Meanwhile tracks Drama and Its Quiet Now have a touch of carefree Balearia about them.
Channel Tres, Mike Dunn and Rimarkable are just some of the the collaborators found amongst the 15-tracks, while fans of noughties Hip-Hop will pinch themselves at Eve's cameo on In The Club. Ruff Ryder's First Lady sounding as fresh-to-death as ever.
"This album is dedicated to love. Love of music, community, but most of all the love of self. Being true to who you are in spite of everything else and having the courage to love fearlessly."
- Honey Dijon
During a month which saw exceptional dance music albums released from Fred again.., Daniel Avery and ANOTR, it says much that we couldn't look beyond Honey's contribution.
Monday just gone marked the start of Trans Awareness Week. As one of the community's biggest figures, Honey Dijon has made herself more visible than ever before.
Black Girl Magic is a powerful physical manifestation of her multi-disciplinary artistry and intersectional identity. Acceptance starts from within and Honey has found her voice.
We're off now to attend the album launch party at Royal Festival Hall on London's Southbank. We reckon her roar will still be echoing around all four corners of the music industry by the time we return.
Highlights: Show Me Some Love, Downtown, Don't Be Afraid, La Femme Fantastique
Black Girl Magic is out now. BUY HERE
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