Fresh off a five-date run through South Korea, Aotearoa indie-pop duo Foley have returned with a sugar rush of a single, “Honey” — a breezy, high-energy anthem that feels tailor-made for summer drives with the windows down.
Written in collaboration with Max Jacobs and Nico Scali from Australian alt-pop trio Loretta, “Honey” brims with the vibrant, hook-heavy production that’s become Foley’s signature. The Sydney-based pair, Ash Wallace and Gabriel Everett, lean into acoustic guitars and stacked harmonies this time, finding a soulful, almost bluesy groove beneath their usual pop polish.
“We all clicked straight away and had so many laughs,” the duo said of the session. “We left in the real studio noise of us chatting and laughing too, so you can really hear the energy!”
That warmth extends to the song’s theme: one of humility, honesty, and holding space in love. As Foley put it, “‘Honey’ is about taking it too far and realising you might have pushed your luck… In the right relationship, those moments aren’t make or break; instead, they’re the times you see compassion and understanding in a partner who’s willing to have your back.”
The lyric “Whenever I spill my guts you stitch me up, honey” sums it up perfectly. A nod to the messy, human side of modern love that Foley capture so well.
Visually, the duo bottled that same buzzing energy while on the road in Korea, shooting the “Honey” visualiser among the neon blur of Seoul’s streets. “We wanted to capture the busy-ness of the streets and how that can reflect the mental static and gymnastics of pushing your luck,” they said.
Since emerging as one of New Zealand’s brightest pop exports, Foley have made a name for themselves with their magnetic live shows and knack for relatable storytelling. Their sophomore album That’s Life, Baby! landed at No. 50 on Rolling Stone AU/NZ’s list of the 80 Best New Zealand Albums of the 2020s So Far, and “Honey” continues that streak with a glistening snapshot of connection, chaos, and chemistry.
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Foley’s “Honey” is streaming now.
