Album Review: BLVD HVNNY – IX (Mongrel Records)

South African alternative/goth/post-punk band BLVD HVNNY (pronounced Blood Honey) are releasing their debut album, ‘IX’, on the 8th of August 2025, via Mongrel Records.

This is the shadow-self of Cito, known for fronting South African bands WONDERboom, El Cantante, and Absinthè. What began as a solitary studio project—beat-driven, synth-laced, and self-contained—soon outgrew its walls. The live stage demanded more. And so, BLVD HVNNY evolved into a full-bodied force: a five-piece band of formidable musicians who now breathe life into the sound both on stage and in studio.

That evolution is evident throughout IX, alongside the collaborative nature of the band, and while the gloomy gothic-infused post-punk style isn’t going to be for everyone, everyone who gives it a chance will likely come away with something to say.

It’s been a long time coming for BLVD HVNNY and all the hard work pays off in undeniably memorable fashion. From the moment Regret Nothing’s beats encourages the body to move as though we’re in a dark and sexy underground club and Cito’s baritone voice rings out in devilish fashion, it grabs the attention. Especially as the experimentation grows and grows, and we even have a chorus that can be called catchy.

Although as the rest of the album proves, being catchy isn’t a struggle for BLVD HVNNY.

Nor is being haunting and odd, and the excellent Winter Kills showcases all of this, and more, thanks, in part, to Bronwyn Leigh Fink. Singing opposite Cito in the chorus. Together, they sound incredible.

It’s a highlight, but one of several as the foot taps, the finger raps, and the head nods along to the cool sounding She’s One of Us Now. Followed by smile-inducing and potent melodies of Lilac Sky, where the crooning proves to be an inspired touch. Before The Weeping Song arrives in a unique cacophony of brooding noise. BLVD HVNNY transforming Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds’ original (alongside Ross Learmonth of Prime Circle) and leaving an impression.

Going from that into the energetic club floor filler that is The Kiss proves to be another inspired decision, especially as the goth side of BLVD HVNNY is ramped up and the verse vocals have a gravelly touch that sounds great.

It’s a groovy, weird, and wonderful race to the finish as Joaquín sees Cito get a bit wilder, vocally, and Sinner’s Ball’s proves to be a creepy sounding body shaker (especially when the theremin is introduced). Before Scarface wraps up a concise, satisfying, and effective album with a thick and gloomy sounding goth-infused post-punk heavyweight hit. The epitome of BLVD HVNNY, but also like nothing else on the album. Such is the varied approach and unique makeup of the band. Chances are that you’ll love everything about it, and the album overall.

BLVD HVNNY – IX Track Listing:

1. Regret Nothing
2. Winter Kills
3. She’s One of Us Now
4. Lilac Sky
5. The Weeping Song
6. The Kiss
7. Joaquín
8. Sinner’s Ball
9. Scarface

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