Ethan Regan—honey honey honey

I want to state up front that I love this 6 track EP. There is one thing on it however that drove me nuts though and that was on the first track "dirty". It opens with a very atmospheric guitar and then you're smacked in the ears with amazing vocals, which instantly reminded me of Mumford and Sons. The track is great, apart from one very, irritating sound and that is I think, a slide across the fret of the guitar. At first you think, OK, this is adding to the rustic feel of the track, but as the track progresses, it almost becomes an instrument in itself and I found myself focusing on that, more than the rest of what makes this track great.

If you're not listening with headphones, you're missing out, especially on "Spaceman." It starts with a simple banjo line, but once the vocals come in, the track shifts into something much more powerful. More than once, I felt shivers run down my spine. The song builds beautifully and sounds fantastic, with layers that really shine in a more immersive listen.

"Decay" begins with a beautiful, ethereal intro that's almost entirely vocal, soft, haunting, and full of atmosphere. But there's a fire beneath it that gradually builds until the track truly comes alive. I have to mention one lyric in particular. This isn't me playing grammar police like I did with Ed Sheeran’s "Shape of You" and the line "Push and pull like a magnet do," which always struck me as lazy. Here, the lyric "I done did what I could do" might not be grammatically perfect, but it lands with real weight. In fact, correcting it would strip away much of its character and emotional punch.

With its stripped-back arrangement, "get by" delivers plenty of impact. The folk-inspired guitar is supported by a warm, textured bass line, and a brief bass interlude midway through deepens the mood. There’s a darker tone overall, heightened by lyrics that add emotional weight and give the song real depth, especially with the closing, heartfelt line and woodwind arrangement.

At just 1:57, "Cartilage" may be short, but it packs a serious punch. Every second feels purposeful, with sharp, evocative lyrics and ever-present, atmospheric vocals that carry real emotional weight. Despite its brevity, the track feels complete, a compact burst of mood and meaning that lingers well after it ends.

And so we reach the end with "Heat." It’s refreshing to close such an emotionally charged album not with angst, anger, or overwhelming sadness, but with something gentler, in essence, a love song. Not in a McCartney “Maybe I’m Amazed” kind of way, but something deeper and more visceral. There’s a raw sincerity to it that hits differently. Musically, it adds yet another layer, this time featuring a saxophone, unexpected, perhaps, but an absolutely welcomed addition. It brings a warmth and soulfulness that perfectly rounds off the journey.

So maybe this review had a slightly rocky start, but as always, what we’re left with is the sum of many glorious parts. This is an amazing EP, and I truly hope it finds its way to a wide audience.