Call The Hive is a bit of a mad buzzy one from Jonny Ash for their June 2023 single.

What I admire about the Wrexham boys is that they are bold in their experimentation and range of styles. After the folkish homespun anthem charm of the likes of This Town, here with Call The Hive, I rather get a funky dancy vibe. As the band hit it to promote the song, “this one is for brain and booty”. Never a truer word spoken. Fans of the likes of the Happy Mondays and Big Audio Dynamite would be at home here.

Indeed, as well as that strutting beat and buzzy guitar in Call The Hive which makes the belly jiggle (well OK, my large belly jiggle), there’s some thought provoking lyrics – “why did the bee never tell the fly that the honey tastes better than the sh1t outside“. Oh that’s a tricky one, and there is perhaps a myriad of meanings behind this tune.

Does someone have expensive tastes, is the bee simply more positive, is there an addiction reference, is there no point telling the fly as they won’t move to the more tricky to collect honey anyway?

I have my thoughts, but the beauty is perhaps that you can make your own mind up, while those Jonny Ash guys can just sit back and smirk as you puzzle it out.

Call The Hive is definitely a grower, and its one of those deceptively simple confections that has layers of flavours and thoughts to explore.

Jonny Ash are one of those incredibly consistent high quality bands, and they have built up a set list to be proud of. Y Not festival goers at the end of July would be wise to hunt down these lads.

* Images from the band’s own socials. Words by tiggerligger.