Released:
Rating:
Watch this space – the best is yet to come.
Label: Virgin EMI
Released: August 5th 2016
Rating: ★★★
The wave of hype and anticipation that Blossoms have been riding over the past few years has seemed to be guaranteeing only one direction. Since bursting out of Stockport with their infectious melodic grooves, they’ve grown an incredibly devoted and loyal fanbase with track after track of indie-joy that comes to a head with their self-titled debut. For many, Blossoms are the next great British guitar band to take on arenas and festival fields, coming from the same class as Catfish & The Bottlemen, Circa Waves and The Courteeners. Yet over the course of 12 tracks, “Blossoms” demonstrates the complex and intriguing directions that make them far more than just another indie band.
In fact, the record is wholeheartedly pop, and not ashamed of dipping its toes into a pool of different influences and eras. “Getaway” is the soothing Americana cross-country drive distilled into a 3 and a half minute neon kick, whilst “My Favourite Room” and “Smashed Pianos” shows a knack for 60s infused psych-pop that The Kinks would be jealous of. The accomplished “Texia” is a shimmering soundscape of effortless charm, and “Honey Sweet” possess the type of confidence and smoothness of a Drive soundtrack set in the dim lights of late night Manchester.
For all its experimentation, Blossoms are at their best in full on anthem mode, “Charlemagne” remains their definitive calling card, an untouchable synth laden benchmark for 2016, whilst “Cut Me And I Bleed” is an appetising slice of scuzzy-laden revelry, matched only by “At Most A Kiss” and the catchy key line of the year.
Whilst ‘Blossoms’ doesn’t sprint out of the trap to take no prisoners, it solidifies why these Stockport boys have the credentials to take classic pop songwriting to the masses. Watch this space – the best is yet to come. Jamie Muir
