Cartel – “Honestly” (2025)

Some aspects sound kind of demo-ish comparatively but could just be because I'm so much more familiar with the original version. Good on them to hopefully make some revenue off of their own music, though.

 

This is getting a ton of hate on reddit

 

shocking.

 

I don't know what I was expecting with this new version, but I listened to each version back to back a couple times in a row this morning and I was left kind of confused?

It doesn't as bad as reddit is saying but it also doesn't sound much better either?

 

When bands try to stay faithful, people say it doesn't sound much better. When they try to evolve it, people say they've ruined it.

Can't win.

 

It's really bad. A compressed, auto-tuned, soulless version of the song. I can't make it past that first "PLEEZE" - it's a sad state for them. Same as it was for Anberlin.

 

I don't think I get the Anberlin comparison at all.

 

I like it!

It's not too different and feels familiar enough to the song I loved 20 years ago (and since). I missed the vinyl drop but it seems like there will be more, so not too worried. Plus now they have the rights to this version, hopefully they will repress the fuck out of it every few years. Hopefully I can hear the whole album before deciding on buying it or not. I'm sure I'll cave for the next repress though! Either way, song sounds good, looking forward to the rest. Glad to see it sold out pretty quickly too!

 

The low end drums sound great. I’m not motivated to compare to the original but this was good enough to remind me it’s a great tune.

 

Don't get the hate. Song is 20 years old and the band has aged. His voice changed. He got better at singing. Less nasally. Puts me right back in the feels.
I do think I want the crispness of an “uninspired” like production/mix on an album rather than the “live band” approach here.

 

Dig it, I think it has more presence than the original. The only thing I miss is the extra back up vocal on the “so amazing how” line in the last chorus. Really liked that part in the original. I can’t believe how great his voice still is after all this time.

 

Loving it! And if it makes it possible for them to actually utilize their own music for vinyl releases and generate income on it I’m here for it. They recorded the damn thing so they should be the ones to profit off of it.