Honora
by Flea (UN)

From SomethingSpecial 06/13/2026 14:32 | #314911 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

A masterful record and one I have no doubt Flea has wanted to make for a long time. Although I semi-dismissed it at the time of its release, I must say the album has now clicked for me and I understand its beauty. Through its confidence, singular focus and by continuing the jazz tradition of covering popular songs, Flea's Honora has earned a place in jazz and music history. My favourite cut Frailed is a 10-minute epic of unparalleled beauty and vision and is my favourite song of 2026. And although I'm a huge Red Hot Chili Peppers fan and was as excited as anyone for the return of John Frusciante, I have to admit that Honora is easily more focused a record than any Chili Peppers LP since Stadium Arcadium.

My album of the year

As a Peppers fan, and also one who has read Flea's book, Acid For The Children, I never thought I'd be this interested in a Flea solo album.
I wasn't a big fan of one of the first singles from the album, with vocals from some buddy named Thom Yorke. I know they have worked together in other projects, but this really didn't spark interest. I know of his first instrument love with the trumpet, and that he was realizing and following a dream to get back to the trumpet.... so when the album came out I had to hear what he wanted to get out.
First listen, I thought it was a little all over the place and no flow. I mean, I was pleasantly surprised on A Plea (rhymes with Flea, eh?) when his own vocals showed up. It was unexpected, but turns out a highlight after repeated listens. With the aforementioned Thom Yorke song, Tragic Lights next and then a few instrumental jazz tracks, I was confused on what kind of album Flea was making.
I left it for a couple of weeks, and, with some of it's album tracks popping up in some of my shuffled Playlists, I decided to give it another front to back listen. I am hearing new things every listen now, and even up until writing this comment, am impressed more and more with such an original album flow and the choices Flea makes. Whether it's that Plea for love, or experimental jazz in Morning Cry, the bravery in jazz standards or fun with the closing track, Free as I want To Be, Flea shows he is in control of a vision and does what he wants to do. His bass work here is excellent, as the album starts with incredible bass lines, then slowly rolls out his trumpet and has many surprising arrangements and moments that may not be realized until multiple listens.
Maggot Brain and Thinkin Bout You ( A Frank Ocean cover, which i learned later) are definitely favorites now along with others I have mentioned. And, yes, I still think that first single... with Thom Yorke, is a weaker track on the album. But the album has become my #1 (so far) of 2026, where at one time I thought I wouldn't think would be such a record I'd give so much attention too.