Honeybear, the Band's ‘Unbroken’ single is what you need for your emotional core
The Vancouver group uses blues and soul to provide relaxing afternoons
The quartet formed in 2023 and released their first album in June 2025. (Submitted)
We all need music to cope with the long winter nights and chilly weather.
Luckily for us, Honeybear, the Band gives us what we’re looking for with their latest single “Unbroken.” It mixes blues, soul, and roots for genre-fusion extravagance.
The Vancouver-based band formed in 2023. Honeybear’s founding four members are bass player Ian Beaty on vocals, guitarist Colin Brumelle, keyboardist and vocalist Mike Kenney, and drummer Timothy S. Watson.
Since debuting their album, I Was Wrong, in June, the band has achieved four million Spotify streams, with more than 100,000 monthly listeners. Honeybear has continued its success with live acts at festivals, radio stations, and sold-out club shows nationwide.
“Unbroken,” presents a funky intro created by a softly winding guitar hook, the keyboard’s electronic organ hums, and a subtle drum backdrop before giving way to laidback lyrics. The harmonies produced by the lead vocals paired with backup vocals drive the single home with euphoric feels. At the same time, the guitar, bass, and drums humbly keep a light array of stylish beats.
Honeybear also gives an experimental flair to the single by including whistles that add a light tone to the easygoing guitar chords and steady drum hits during the last half of the track. This arrangement creates a breezy atmosphere that transitions into the best part of the song — an organ solo that just further settles you in with synth-like moods.
The keyboard is the song’s secret star, showing the band’s desire to be musically subversive, even if it’s just using organ tones rather than traditional piano melodies.
If Honeybear ever chose to do a biopic or documentary about how their blues fusion group gets through everyday life in Vancouver while putting their best music forward, this single would make the perfect theme song.
As the band has said, the song was meant to explore the struggles of a troubled friend, of giving hope during a time when it feels like it no longer exists. The song certainly does that and more with its lyricism about not giving up on yourself. Its genre fusions tap into how your resolve — and heart from loved ones — are as bound together as the music that conveys it.
From just hearing the vocals, songwriting, and instrumental arrangements, it’s evident how much the band embraces their philosophy about friendship and being there for those you care about.
Overall, through “Unbroken,” Honeybear, the Band reminds us of the new, exciting surprises radiating from Vancouver’s music scene. New and existing fans will love their take on blues, soul, and roots while appreciating being welcomed into our city’s art world. If you’re looking for a new band to follow this season, I highly recommend Honeybear.
“Unbroken” and more music by Honeybear is available on YouTube, Spotify, and Bandcamp.
