Smith And The Honey Badgers
Killing Time
Funk Night Records [2025]
“A decade in the making, Killing Time delivers groove-rich soul with heart, grit, and vintage swagger.”
Album Overview: Smith and The Honey Badgers know a thing or two about playing the long game. The East London eight-piece, fronted by the unstoppable Marietta Smith, spent the past decade recording wherever they could—bedrooms, studios, wherever the vibe was right. Along the way, bassist Fergal McBride and Smith herself kept busy with other projects like The Allergies and The Rayvelles, but this band was always bubbling under. Killing Time pulls together ten tracks from that journey, and what’s wild is how fresh it all still sounds. Early firecrackers like “Better Times” and “The Honey Badger Strut” still pop with raw energy, while songs like “Good Work” and “In My Way” show a band that’s leveled up without losing their edge.
Musical Style: Vintage soul, nasty funk grooves, and brassy good times. Smith and The Honey Badgers bring live-wire energy to old-school sounds—tight horns, wah-wah guitars, deep-pocket rhythm sections—and Marietta’s voice cutting right through the middle like it owns the place. This is soul music made to sweat a little.
Evolution of Sound: Killing Time isn’t just a collection—it’s a slow burn that charts a band learning to stretch out and breathe. Early tracks like “The Honey Badger Strut” feel like a house party jam, but later tunes like “Don’t You Doubt It Baby” and the rebooted “Let’s Pretend” land with more weight and warmth. Growth you can feel, not just hear.
Artists with Similar Fire: If you dig Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Alice Russell, The Dip, Monophonics, or Lee Fields & The Expressions, Smith and The Honey Badgers will feel right at home on your playlist. They nail that classic soul sound without ever feeling stuck in the past.
Pivotal Tracks: “Better Times” kicks things off with a punchy rhythm and a soaring vocal performance that immediately sets the tone. “Love So Bad Pt. 2” splits its focus between a smoky instrumental intro and a vocal-driven back half. “The Honey Badger Strut” stands as a foundational anthem for the group, while “Let’s Pretend” reappears in an updated version that feels more expansive. “Good Work,” proves the band’s dynamic control, and “In My Way” closes the album on a soulful, heartfelt note.
Lyrical Strength: Marietta Smith keeps it real—no fluff, no filler. Her lyrics lean into perseverance, heartache, and hope without getting sappy. Even when the grooves get hot, there’s always something steady and honest anchoring the songs.
Final Groove: Killing Time feels like a band finding their voice the hard way—by doing the work, sticking together, and letting the music speak. Not every song hits with the same force, but when they’re on, they’re unstoppable. If this record is any hint, Smith and The Honey Badgers have a lot more fire left to burn—and it’s gonna be worth the wait.
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