“Green Honda” Single Review: Benee Hops in the Honda to Switch Genres

New Zealand singer and songwriter, Benee, returns to the music scene for her first single of the year — and this time, she’s pulling up in a green automobile. After blowing up on TikTok with the inescapable pandemic-era tune “Supalonely” back in 2020, Benee has been building her repertoire one EP and single at a time. And with a nearly one-year hiatus in 2022 from releasing solo music due to touring, the New Zealand singer-songwriter is back with her new single “Green Honda” in advance of her recently announced 2023 Coachella appearance.

“Green Honda,” it turns out, is not entirely new to fans. Versions of the track have been performed at various concerts over the past year, in unreleased forms. The titular green vehicle, as well, is also already somewhat familiar to fans, as it was featured on the cover of her 2019 EP “Stella & Steve.” The Honda Integra seen on the cover of “Green Honda” was a gift from her grandmother, which the singer (real name Stella) affectionately named Steve.

However, while the track and its imagery may not be new, the single does mark a transition toward a novel sound for the singer-songwriter. “Green Honda” sees Benee blend elements of indie rock and electropop to produce a driving and compelling — though somewhat basic — instrumental. It’s a far cry from the bedroom alt pop that defined her rise to fame, or the soft and dreamy blend of hyperpop and indie pop on her latest EP, 2023’s "Lychee."

To that end, the song opens with static noise, which gives way to piercing vocals from Benee: “That was a waste of fucking time.” She’s reflecting on, presumably, a past relationship, which only leads to more biting lyrics, as Benee declares, “You were a waste of fucking time / Since I left you I've been great / You were my biggest mistake.”

The lyrics, which sometimes venture into the unremarkable — “It's safe to say I am surprised / You've made a huge mess of my life” — are thankfully elevated by a catchy and energetic guitar riff. Like the titular green vehicle, the instrumental is flashy and moving.

Vocally, while previous songs saw Benee employ extensive autotune, this song features a half-rapped, half-lyrical delivery, which( almost paradoxically) brings a latent, effervescent energy to the song. Benee’s casual and almost lackadaisical monotone clashes with the energetic and colorful instrumental backing.

However, with the hook returning five times after introduction, and a bridge that is just a stripped down version of the former, the track is at least a little repetitive. Verses are similarly elementary; lines like “I cringe at everything they say / And you're just like them, boy, don't play” certainly don’t push any lyrical frontiers.

While “Green Honda” isn’t terribly innovative, it’s fun, catchy, and snarky. Sometimes, music can just be pleasing to the ear — And “Green Honda” accomplishes that.

—Staff writer Derek Yuan can be reached at derek.yuan@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ByDerekYuan.