Honora

bouboug

Ryan1Nunez

Going into Honora, I had to recalibrate my expectations a bit. When you’ve spent years watching Flea as the hyperkinetic, slap-bass architect of Red Hot Chili Peppers, you kind of expect chaos, funk, and explosive groove at every turn. This record is almost the opposite of that and honestly, that’s where a lot of its charm (and its flaws) live. Honora feels deeply personal, almost like flipping through Flea’s private journal rather than listening to a traditional album. The instrumentation leans softer, more meditative piano passages, subtle arrangements, and moments that prioritize feeling over flash. It’s clear he’s not trying to recreate Red Hot Chili Peppers energy here; instead, he’s exploring a quieter, more introspective side of himself. As a longtime fan, that vulnerability is refreshing to hear. That said, the album can feel a little too understated at times. There are stretches where the minimalism drifts into sameness, and you start craving just a bit more dynamic contrast or melodic punch. Flea’s instincts as a musician are undeniable, but as a solo storyteller, he doesn’t always grab you in the way his basslines do. Still, there’s something admirable about Honora. It’s not trying to impress but to express. And even if it doesn’t fully stick the landing, you can feel the sincerity in every note. For fans who only know Flea from the funk-driven highs of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, this might be a surprising detour, but for those willing to sit with it, there’s a quiet beauty here that grows over time.

nme

the Chili Pepper’s jazzy, comforting debut leans back hard

pitchfork

The Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist reignited his childhood love of the trumpet to make his first solo album: a mature, sophisticated collection of songs featuring stars of the L.A. jazz scene.

exclaim

allmusic