Wild Honey  by The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys' 1967 Wild Honey is a sudden dive into simplicity, a "gritty" soul response to the psychedelic complexity of Pet Sounds. Here, the band abandons grandiose productions for a raw, warm, and intimate sound, recorded almost entirely at Brian Wilson's home. While the world was diving into psychedelia, the Beach Boys' "return to roots" puzzled the American audience, although the reception was much warmer in Britain.

The sound is pure R&B and soul, infused with the sunny spirit of California. The title track overflows with energy, while the iconic Darlin' showcases the raw power of Carl Wilson's voice. Here Comes The Night adds a touch of dark rhythm, proving that the group could "rock" without unnecessary embellishments. The overall feeling one gets listening to the album, thanks to Carl Wilson's participation in the production, is that you're listening to a group jamming in their garage. Despite the absence of external collaborators, the record includes a cover of Stevie Wonder's I Was Made To Love Her, sealing their bond with Motown. It's a record that smells of sweat, honey, and authenticity (!)

Wild Honey was a commercial "discord" for its time, as it was the band's lowest-selling record up to that point. Today it is estimated to have sold about 700,000 copies worldwide.