Review: Blossoms-Ribbon Around The Bomb
The boys from Stockport are back and just as exciting and fresh as ever
Stockport’s finest Blossoms have released their new album ‘Ribbon Around The Bomb’ and it is a collection of songs which is two years in the making.
It is the band’s first drop of new music since before the pandemic, and the new album is another reminder (if anyone needs one) of the good vibes that comes with listening to Blossoms.
The album opens up with ‘The Writers Theme’, a 34 second melodic opening which takes you into ‘Ode to NYC’, a track which was released as a single in February.
The song casts a positive light on the famous city of New York, from the ‘kaleidoscope of colour’ that is Times Square, to the blossoming trees of Central park and the towering presence of the Empire State Building.
The question of ‘what if I don’t want to leave?’ is raised by the band, and many who visit the concrete jungle that is NYC no doubt ask themselves this very same question.
The track is upbeat in nature and creates vivid imagery of some of the most iconic landmarks of the world famous city.
Title track of the album comes up next, and it can be described to a certain degree as a metaphor of life in general.
‘Life gets no better and no worse’ is not a sentence heard much in day to day life, with us tending to opt for a more positive spin on the matter in an effort to keep spirits up.
Yet in many situations, life getting neither better or worse is applicable.
The song dabbles with happiness and loneliness, two moods on very different spectrums and two which rarely can be mutually exclusive.
The album shifts down a gear with ‘The Writer’ which is a description and guide through the writing process in the same way we navigate life.
‘I feel so tired, but I’m the writer, And if I’ve got to, I’ll write to you,’ could be viewed as an alternative way of saying we just need to get on with things sometimes as it is the right thing to do.
‘Care For’ sees the album pick up pace again, with the band focusing on that special someone and how jealousy can take over.
This track was one of several released as a single in the months leading up to the big day of the album release, meaning that fans have had more time to digest this song, which has already picked up plenty of positive feedback.
The piano takes the lead on ‘Cinerama Holy Days’ on a track which encapsulates the importance of making memories.
Imagery such as ‘the sound of summer’ and more references to beaches and coastlines gets us thinking of the longer, warmer days we all hope for during the summer months.
The album is rounded off by ‘Visions’, a seven minute scout into the importance of reflecting on life and assessing the future.
Loneliness and silence is raised again in this melodic anthem which many listeners will be able to relate to.
Soft, reassuring guitar riffs accompany the thought provoking lyrics, and the album takes a profound bow on its way towards a satisfying conclusion.
‘The Last Chapter’ is short and sweet. 50 seconds of calm piano music. This brings the album to an end.
32 minutes of fresh music from this Stockport band is perfectly timed, as you can picture yourself listening to each and every track whilst clutching a cold cider and being sat around an open campfire under a starry English sky.
Blossoms have become a group that is synonymous with upbeat, passionate sounds.
