The group are no strangers to the industry, but their last LP, Gary, brought in even more expectant listeners, who are unlikely to be disappointed by the new record. The warm, playful sound that Gary became synonymous with continues onto this release, which showcases plenty of steady percussion, jazzy bass lines and signature pops of synth.
Relatable but often undocumented topics like traffic tussles and reality TV help the album to stand out...
Whilst there are no 8ft tall fibreglass Gorilla mascots in sight, songs like ‘Additional Driver’ keep the record light-hearted and bouncy. The narrative style of writing that lead singer Tom Ogden has become known for also is demonstrated brilliantly, calling back to hits like 'Your Girlfriend' which listen like a story. Relatable but often undocumented topics like traffic tussles and reality TV help the album to stand out, hooking listeners in before inviting them to reflect on deeper themes of choosing love through life’s mundane moments. Track 4, ‘The Kardashians’, exemplifies this balance well, making a reference to Blackpool Pleasure Beach that blends seamlessly into a soft, melodic love song.
Fans of the wider indie genre are also treated by some of the collaborators on this album, which include vocals from solo artist Declan McKenna (credited on track 5) and Elijah Hewson from Inhaler. The first song, 'Joke About Divorce' then ends with a Rick Astley cameo, friend of the brand and perfect supplement to the funk-leaning singles. Experimenting with artists outside of the group’s core 5 members is a relatively new development for Blossoms, representing how much they’ve grown over the course of their career and how comfortable they now are to play about with their sound.
Representing how much they’ve grown over the course of their career
This album is sure to defend Blossoms reign as British indie titans and come to be a staple, but time will tell which tracks become fan favourites on their first ever headline arena tour this winter.