The Bees: Artist You Should Know

The Bees (a.k.a. A Band of Bees) have been around a hot minute, part of late 90s – early 00s wave of UK psychedelia that brought us Yankee music lovers Super Furry Animals, The Beta Band, and Badly Drawn Boy, The Bees had a nice run on Astralwerks that started with their debut Sunshine Hit Me, which had a rad cover of Os Mutantes “A Minha Menina.” Since then, they’ve dropped a couple of albums to critical acclaim, but little fanfare. Now, The Bees are back with a buzzy brand new record called, “Every Step’s a Yes.” Like good bees, they’ve worked hard and continued to diligently make jams like so much aural honey.

This consistent and diligent quality has given them great respect amongst their peers (who now contact them for production work on their albums; see Devendra Banhart) and the freedom to do exactly what they want to do and how. That dependability has also afforded them the freedom to remain a wonderfully listenable band flying just below the radar, touring as opening act for artists ranging from Oasis to Pink Floyd and the Incredible String Band, while being a favorite of Anglophilic psychfolk lovers and being included in the “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.”

Earlier this year, I came across a Nicolas Jaar remix version of their first single off the new album, “Winter Rose,” which is a perfect example of not only their inherent sonic sweetness, but how heads of all genres pay attention to The Bees. And now, thankfully after some time, the record in it’s entirety is seeing a US release thanks to the good folks over at ATO Records.

The Bees – Winter Rose (Nicolas Jaar Remix) [Fiction] by alchemyremixmanagement

–Mario Cotto