Flea, best known as the energetic bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, is stepping into a new creative space with his upcoming solo album titled Honora. The album is set to be released on March 27 through Nonesuch Records, and it shows a very different, more personal side of Flea as a musician. Instead of loud funk-rock basslines, Honora focuses on jazz, emotion, collaboration, and deep musical exploration.
This album is especially important because it connects Flea back to his earliest love for music. Before he became famous as a rock bassist, Flea was deeply inspired by jazz and trumpet music. Honora reflects that early passion, blending jazz, experimental sounds, and thoughtful arrangements into one rich listening experience.
A Powerful First Single: “Traffic Lights”
To give fans a taste of what’s coming, Flea has released the first single from the album, “Traffic Lights.” The song features Thom Yorke, the lead singer of Radiohead, who contributes vocals, piano, and synthesizer. Flea and Yorke are not strangers — they previously worked together in the band Atoms For Peace — and their chemistry is clearly felt on this track.
Flea has shared that “Traffic Lights” came together on the very first day he and drummer Deantoni Parks played together in the studio. The rhythm and feeling of the song reminded him of Atoms For Peace, which is why he reached out to Yorke. According to Flea, the song reflects the confusion of modern life — trying to understand what’s real and what’s fake in a world that often feels upside down.
A Talented Group of Musicians
Honora is not a solo album in the traditional sense. Flea worked closely with a group of talented musicians who helped shape the sound of the record. These include saxophonist Josh Johnson, guitarist Jeff Parker, bassist Anna Butterss, and drummer Deantoni Parks. Flea himself also contributes vocals, in addition to playing bass and trumpet.
Adding even more excitement to the project, Nick Cave also appears on the album. His involvement brings another emotional layer to the music and highlights how open and collaborative this project truly is.
Original Songs and Creative Covers
The album features ten tracks in total. Six of them are original compositions by Flea, while the rest are unique takes on songs originally created by legendary artists such as George Clinton, Eddie Hazel, Jimmy Webb, Frank Ocean, Shea Taylor, and Ann Ronell. This mix of original material and re-imagined classics shows Flea’s wide musical taste and respect for different generations of songwriters.
Full Honora Tracklist
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Golden Wingship
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A Plea
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Traffic Lights
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Frailed
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Morning Cry
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Maggot Brain
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Wichita Lineman
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Thinkin Bout You
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Willow Weep For Me
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Free As I Want To Be
Touring in 2026
- 07 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
- 09 – Toronto, ON – Opera House
- 10 – Montreal, QC – Théâtre Beanfield
- 12 – New York, NY – Webster Hall
- 13 – Washington, DC – Black Cat
- 16 – Los Angeles, CA – Fonda Theater
- 21 – Berlin, DE – Heimathafen
- 22 – Amsterdam, NL – Paradiso
- 26 – London, UK – Koko
- 28 – Paris, FR – Alhambra
Final Thoughts
Honora is more than just a side project — it’s a heartfelt artistic statement from Flea. It shows his growth as a musician and his willingness to explore new sounds without limits. For fans of Flea, Radiohead, Nick Cave, or thoughtful, genre-blending music, this album is definitely one to look forward to.