Flea · 2026Honora
Flea just blindsided the universe with the album of the decade and the musical long con of the century.
I really wanted to hate it... But Honora is shockingly awesome, and I can't stop playing it. I've basically been bingeing on humble pie since last spring.
You don't need the backstory. You don't need to know Flea grew up on Gillespie, Miles and Clifford Brown. That nearing sixty, he dusted off his trumpet to practice every day and plays horn and bass throughout. That it features Josh Johnson, Jeff Parker, Anna Butterss and Deantoni Parks among others, plus appearances by Thom Yorke and Nick Cave.
Legit, none of that matters.
"Golden Wingship" starts the record off with abstract noise like the tuning of an orchestra. Then the bass vamp of "A Plea" kicks in, hitting you in the chest like a Mack truck and leaving you begging daddy for more.
You can't even put this thing in a box. "A Plea" gives 1970s protest song vibes. The "Thinkin Bout You" cover, backed by strings, with the melody alternating between electric bass and trumpet, is... magical. And overall, Honora is in full ADHD mode, glitching from trad jazz to modern electronic.
But it all. Makes. Perfect. Sense.
When the Thom Yorke cameo isn't even close to the best moment on an album, you know it's one of a kind.