The first time I listened to “Honey” a week or so ago, I was in my garden. Sun beams resting on my face, my Grandma’s radio blasting Raaj FM (the biggest Punjabi radio station in the whole of Birmingham) from inside the kitchen and my sisters settling for a game of badminton in the great outdoors, there’s no doubt that hearing the song was a complete chance encounter, and hardly one I would forget anytime soon.
With her dreamy vocals and every soft, lingering note of the melody, the song can be described as nothing but soul and youth together, with Raveena leaving a trail of something ambiguous and unique, yet so relatable after each word sung.
In such a way, I could’ve been listening to it at any point in time, in any location on the planet, and I still would’ve been left awe-struck, drinking in this piece of music. An escape; a hope and an idea so inviting, so human, so “warm and lovely,” it’s so easy to slip away while following this story. This story of two people being “water and roses,” existing in a “fantasy world,” and this motif of “milk and honey,” which frames the song as incredibly tender. What’s also so compelling is the lightness of the music, how nurturing it is and undeniably life-affirming.
However, the visuals, too, are equally captivating, and for me, so significant.
Directed by Raveena Aurora herself and Weird Life Films, it is a work of art — but more importantly, a diverse work of art.
Having never truly seen a real representation of a caring, intimate Indian couple in Western media, this video reinforced the sentiment that you can love immensely, while remaining proud of your culture, making it so touching and somewhat of a milestone in terms of inclusion and diversity.
It rewrote what relationships are — including people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community — showcasing what this often cis, het, white boy/white girl narrative doesn’t.
“Honey” reveals how every human heart is capable of such a magical love. Representing people who are so often unseen through a delicate and beautiful lens is something that can only encourage minority groups all over the world to appreciate themselves and to claim who they are.
From my own experience, I’ve seen how damaging a lack of insight can be for those who aren’t taken into consideration by the media, and for young people to see someone like them in something as accessible as a music video can prove completely life-changing.
Holding such a positive message with a bewitching sound, allowing diversity to take centre-stage, Raveena Aurora’s “Honey” is honestly something a range of audiences can savor and is something musical to treasure.
Photo Credit: Everett Orr
